Why is it called Atal Tunnel?
India, asia
46 km
3,979 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through the Atal Tunnel in the Indian Himalayas is mind-blowing! Nestled high in the eastern Pir Panjal Range, this beauty isn't just any tunnel; it's the world's longest at over 3,000 meters!
They named it after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and it's a total game-changer for travel in this region. Forget the old route over the Rohtang Pass, which was a grueling 4-6 hour trek. This tunnel slices the distance between Manali and Keylong by a whopping 46 km, turning the journey into a breezy 30-minute drive.
At a lofty 3,100 meters above sea level, the 8.8 km long, paved tunnel is part of the epic 479 km road. It’s seriously impressive inside, with a wide 10.5-meter roadbed, pedestrian walkways, CCTV every 60 meters, and emergency exits every 500 meters. Just keep an eye on your speedometer – the speed limit is 80 kmph.
Building this wasn't a walk in the park. Imagine digging through the Himalayas, battling blizzards, floods, and super thin air. Excavation wrapped up in 2017, and it officially opened in 2020. It's not just a road; it's an engineering marvel carved into the heart of the mountains!
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 46 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,979 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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