Question: Consider the following statements:
(1) Atal Tunnel is world’s longest highway tunnel in Rohtang.
(2) The 9.02 Km long Atal Tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley.
Of the above correct statement/s is/are:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1&2
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- On 03 October 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Tunnel, world’s longest highway tunnel in Himachal Pradesh’s Rohtang.
- The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Solang Valley near Manali to Sissu in Lahaul and Spiti district throughout the year. Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
- The tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km. The tunnel will also reduce the time taken to cover the same distance from 4 hours to just around 15 minutes.
- The Tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Mtrs (10,000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
- The construction, which used 15,000 tonnes of steel, took nearly a decade and cost around Rs 3,200 crore.
Background:
- The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had taken the decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass on June 3, 2000.
- The foundation stone for the access road to the south portal of the tunnel was laid on May 26, 2002.
- In December 2019, the Government decided to name the Rohtang Tunnel as Atal Tunnel in honour of the former Prime Minister and scholar Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay
Links:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1661260
http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=PM-Modi-to-inaugurate-Atal-tunnel%2C-world%E2%80%99s-longest-highway-tunnel%2C-at-Rohtang-in-Himachal-Pradesh-today&id=401269