Manali: Celebrations continue to be held throughout Lahau-Spiti valley after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday threw open the Atal Tunnel Rohtang to passenger vehicles.
On the evening of launch, about 500 touris vehicles of tourists visited the North portal of the tunnel and about 200 vehicles coming from Manali headed to Lahaul after passing through the tunnel.
On Sunday, the lot of people of Manali and Lahaul resident also flocked for watching the tunnel gathered at north and south portal of the tunnel. Although Atal Rohtang tunnel has been opened for all types of vehicles but diesel-petrol-filled tankers are currently not allowed to go through the tunnel.
In an emergency, tankers will be able to cross the tunnel only after obtaining permission from the BRO.
At the same time, traffic will be stopped twice a day for maintenance purpose. Vehicles will not be allowed inside the Atal Tunnel from 9am to 10 am and between 4pm to 5 pm. Police will keep an eye on every activity inside the tunnel.
Where as on both ends of the tunnel and police check posts have been set up. In case of violation of traffic rules, the police will take action as per law.
Stopping the vehicle inside the tunnel is also prohibited. All Guidelines have to be followed as per guidelines laid by the administration
KP Purasothman, Chief Engineer said BRO Atal Rohtang Tunnel Project said that diesel and petrol tankers will not be allowed without permission. He said that 33kva electric Transmission line to Lahaul from Manali will be laid through tunnel by BRO.
This winter Lahaul valley will not become snowbound as the Rohtang Tunnel will provide all weather connectivity to the otherwise landlocked valley. Other than giving strategic depth to the armed forces for reaching Leh-Ladhak through an alternate route, the tunnel is also expected to boost farm productivity and tourism in this high altitude zone.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
