New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) BJP president J P Nadda said on Saturday that the strategic Atal Tunnel not only boosts connectivity but also strengthens country’s border infrastructure.

Mr Nadda said, ‘The strategically important Atal tunnel will not only strengthen connectivity, but also our border infrastructure. A living example of world-class border connectivity, ‘Atal Tunnel’ will connect Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley throughout the year. It will also significantly reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong.’

He said it was a historical day for entire nation and specially for Himachal Pradesh as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Tunnel and thanked Mr Modi for speedily executing the project since 2014 and fulfilling the decades old demand of the people of the State.

Mr Nadda said the Atal Tunnel project has been very close to the PM Narendra Modi’s heart.

‘It epitomises the special bond between PM Modi and the people of Himachal Pradesh and is a fitting tribute to the Former PM Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee who conceived this historic project,’ the BJP leader said.

Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the World’s longest Highway tunnel – Atal Tunnel at its south portal in Manali.
He termed the day historic as it not only fructifies the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee but also the decades old wish and dream of crores of people from the region.

He said Atal Tunnel is going to be a lifeline for a large part of Himachal Pradesh as well as the new Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh and would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by 3-4 hours.

He added that now parts of ​​Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh will always be connected with the rest of the country and would witness speedier economic progress.

Mr Modi said farmers, horticulturalists and youth will now also have easy access to the capital of Delhi and other markets.

The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.

The Tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Mtrs (10,000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level.

The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.