In news– Atal Tunnel has now been certified by the World Book of Records, as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel’ above 10,000 Feet.
About Atal Tunnel-
- It provides all-weather connectivity from Manali to the Lahaul – Spiti Valley.
- It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020.
- The cost of the entire project is Rs. 3,200 crore.
- The 9.02 km long, strategically significant, Atal Tunnel, that runs under the ‘Rohtang Pass’ was constructed on the Manali – Leh Highway under the challenging conditions of freezing temperatures in extremely difficult terrain.
- The tunnel reduces the travel time and overall distance between Manali and Keylong on the way to Leh by 46 km.
- It is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 mtr (10,000 feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
- Shape (cross-section) of Tunnel: Horseshoe
- It is 10.5-metre wide and has a 3.6 x 2.25 mtr fire proof emergency egress tunnel built into the main tunnel itself.
- The tunnel was built using the New Austrian tunnelling method and has been equipped with a semi-transverse ventilation system, where large fans separately circulate air throughout the tunnel.
About World Book of Records, UK-
- It is an organization that catalogues and verifies extraordinary records across the world with authentic certification in the United Kingdom and Europe.
- Its primary objective and goal is to Records, Honour, Listing and appreciate, authenticate and adjudicate events which can be termed as activities of world standard.
- Since its inception in the year 2017 it has spread its wings and it is working with global presence in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Source: Livemint
