Manali:
It is being called a mega challenge and will not be easy to build. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is building the Rohtang Tunnel, which will stay open throughout the year, making Ladakh accessible at all times. Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone today.
The key features of the Rohtang Tunnel being built now are:
- It will link Manali with Leh. The government realized strategic importance of Manali-Leh link during the Kargil War.
- It will be an all-weather tunnel and will make Ladakh accessible through the year.
- At present there are two road links to Leh - from Srinagar and from Manali. Both are closed from November to May.
- It will be ready in five years, say BRO officials.
- The tunnel will be 8.8 km long.
- It will be built at an altitude of over 3000 metres.
- It is in the middle of the Himalayas.
- It will cost about Rs 1700 crore.
- Stradag, an Austrian company considered a world leader in tunneling, has been roped in.
- The tunnel will cut down travel time by at least 4 hours.
- It will cut the journey by 46 km of tough terrain and will bypass Rohtang.
- It will make remote tribal areas of Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir more accessible.