President Droupadi Murmu toured the strategically vital Atal Tunnel Rohtang near Manali on Wednesday against the backdrop of fresh snowfall dusting the high peaks of Lahaul and Manali. Built at an altitude exceeding 10,000 feet above sea level, the engineering marvel received the presidential delegation in wintry conditions. Accompanied by her daughter Itishree Murmu, the President waved to onlookers, local residents, and visitors who lined the roadsides to catch a glimpse of the motorcade.
Briefing by Border Roads Organisation at North Portal
The presidential convoy departed Manali around 9:00 am on the morning of October 7, heading towards the mountain passage under extensive administrative escort. Upon arriving at the North Portal of the tunnel, administrative and Border Roads Organisation personnel formally received the President. Technical officers briefed her on the structural complexities, construction history, and cold-climate maintenance protocols governing the route. Pausing at the North Portal vantage point, the President also spent time viewing the snow-covered scenery across the Lahaul Valley.
Stringent Security Protocols and Traffic Adjustments
A multi-tier security detail was deployed across the route to manage the high-profile movement. Administrative plans stationed around 600 police personnel across key sectors and established checkpoints at crucial highway intersections. For public safety, general vehicle passage from Palchan toward the Atal Tunnel was suspended until 2:00 pm on Wednesday. To ease tourist congestion, authorities released held-up traffic as soon as the main motorcade crossed Palchan, enabling regular commuters to resume travel without prolonged gridlock.
Second Sitting Head of State to Visit the Facility
With this visit, Droupadi Murmu has become only the second President of India to inspect the Atal Tunnel, following former President Ram Nath Kovind, who traveled to Rohtang and Lahaul in June 2022. Following her inspection tour, the itinerary schedules a return to Manali, where the President is slated to pay homage at the renowned Hidimba Devi Temple in Dhungri. Special security arrangements and managed access corridors have been put in place around the temple complex as well.
Strategic Value of the 9.02-Kilometre Mountain Pass
Situated roughly 30 kilometres away from the resort town of Manali, the Atal Tunnel bridges Kullu district with Lahaul and Spiti. Erected at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 4,000 crore, the 9.02-kilometre structure serves as a crucial defense lifeline for armed forces supply lines. Recognised as the longest highway tunnel globally situated above the 10,000-foot contour, it allows motorists to cross between the two Himalayan districts within an estimated driving window of just 12 to 15 minutes.
