India's Strategic Atal Tunnel For All Weather Connectivity To Ladakh Is Ready: Here Are Its Pictures And Video

India's strategic Atal Tunnel on the Leh-Manali highway is all set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October. The ceremony will also be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General M M Naravane.

The strategic tunnel - which is the world's longest tunnel situated at over 10,000 feet reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.

The 8.8-km long horseshoe shaped tunnel is situated under the 3,978-metre Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range. It is in the Solang Valley near Manal

The Atal Tunnel would be a boon to the residents of Lahaul who remain cut off from the rest of the country for nearly six months in winters due to heavy snowfall.

For all-weather connectivity up to Leh-Ladakh, additional tunnels would have to be built on the 475 km Manali-Leh route so that the high passes do not impede movement due to heavy snowfall.

A 13.2 km long tunnel would have to be built to negotiate the 16,040-feet high Baralacha Pass and another 14.78 km-long tunnel would be required at the Lachung La Pass at 16,800 feet and the third 7.32-km long tunnel would be required at Tanglang La Pass at 17,480 feet.