Atal Tunnel

The Atal Tunnel, also known as the Rohtang Tunnel, is a 9.02 km long highway tunnel located under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it is the longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) in the world. The tunnel significantly reduces the travel distance between Manali and Leh by approximately 46 km and provides all-weather connectivity to the Lahaul and Spiti districts, which were previously cut off during harsh winters. Completed in 2020, this engineering marvel has transformed connectivity in the region and is a testament to modern infrastructure development in challenging mountainous terrain.