The National Advisory Council Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi on Monday laid the foundation stone of the 8.8 kilometer horse shoe shaped tunnel at the southern portal, 25 kilometers from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony was also present on the occasion besides several dignitaries. The Border Roads Organisation spokesperson Col. Rahul Trivedi said the northern portal of the tunnel will open in the Kellong valley of Himachal Pradesh leading to Leh. Conceived way back in 1983, the two-lane tunnel for vehicle movement will help travellers avoid the Rohtang Pass, about 51 km from Manali, all year round and may reduce it to a mere tourist spot at an altitude of 3,978 metres.
Rohtang Pass remains closed for over six months a year due to heavy snowfall, cutting off the Lahaul-Spiti valley and Leh. The drilling the Rohtang tunnel will reduce the 475-km distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, who is in Manali ahead of the inauguration, said on Sunday. "The distance reduced by the tunnel may seem small, but look at the time that is saved for travellers. And the tunnel will be available for travellers all year long," he said.
Rohtang Pass remains closed for over six months a year due to heavy snowfall, cutting off the Lahaul-Spiti valley and Leh. The drilling the Rohtang tunnel will reduce the 475-km distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, who is in Manali ahead of the inauguration, said on Sunday. "The distance reduced by the tunnel may seem small, but look at the time that is saved for travellers. And the tunnel will be available for travellers all year long," he said.
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