# President Droupadi Murmu Visits Atal Tunnel Amid Fresh Snowfall in Himachal, Set to Offer Prayers at Hidimba Temple > Accompanied by her daughter Itishree Murmu, President Droupadi Murmu toured the strategically vital Atal Tunnel at 10,000 feet and took in panoramic views of Lahaul Valley. **Type:** article · **Category:** Himachal Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-10-07 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/himachal-men-barphabari-ke-bicha-atal-tunnel-pahunchin-rashtrapati-droupadi-murmu-hidimba-temple-men-bhi-karengi-puja-archana-44445 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Droupadi Murmu, Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, Manali, Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, BRO, Hidimba Temple 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. ## What this means for you The high-level presidential visit has necessitated targeted traffic diversions and temporary travel curbs for motorists operating between Manali and the Lahaul Valley. - **For Tourists:** General vehicular movement between Palchan and the Atal Tunnel was suspended until 2:00 pm on Wednesday. Travelers planning sightseeing itineraries in the upper valley must schedule trips around these restricted hours. - **For Local Commuters:** Checkpoints progressively released held-up commercial and private traffic once the main motorcade crossed Palchan. This staged clearing prevented long-term blockages along key stretches of the mountain highway. - **For Temple Visitors:** Heightened security protocols and traffic controls are active along the route leading to Dhungri's Hidimba Devi Temple. Devotees heading for darshan will encounter temporary access checks during the official movement. - **Across Himachal Pradesh:** Approximately 600 police personnel remain deployed on duty across regional transit corridors. Motorists should anticipate frequent vehicle checks and strict lane discipline on primary tourist thoroughfares. ## Why this happened President Droupadi Murmu visited the Rohtang and Manali regions as part of an official schedule to inspect frontline infrastructure and visit regional heritage landmarks. - **Strategic Infrastructure Review:** Built at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the tunnel serves as an essential defense and supply corridor. Technical officials from the Border Roads Organisation briefed the head of state regarding its engineering and mountain logistics. - **Pre-Scheduled Itinerary:** The presidential convoy initiated its journey from Manali at roughly 9:00 am on the morning of October 7. The tour follows a precedent set in June 2022 when then-President Ram Nath Kovind inspected the structure. - **Cultural and Religious Visits:** Following the tunnel walkthrough, the itinerary incorporates prayers at the Dhungri-based Hidimba Devi Temple, continuing the customary visits of dignitaries to regional spiritual landmarks. - **Precautionary Security Protocol:** Because of the head of state's movement, authorities deployed 600 security officers and temporarily restricted public highway passage past Palchan until 2:00 pm. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When did President Droupadi Murmu visit the Atal Tunnel? President Droupadi Murmu set out from Manali at around 9:00 am on October 7 to visit the Atal Tunnel Rohtang. ### 2. Who accompanied the President on this mountain visit? President Murmu was accompanied by her daughter, Itishree Murmu, during the tour. ### 3. How many police personnel were stationed for the tour's security? Authorities deployed roughly 600 police officers across Manali and the transit corridor to secure the route. ### 4. How long was traffic restricted through the tunnel for general vehicles? Public vehicular travel between Palchan and the Atal Tunnel was restricted until 2:00 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. ### 5. What is the total length and cost of the Atal Tunnel? The tunnel spans 9.02 kilometres in length and was constructed at an estimated investment of about Rs 4,000 crore. ### 6. What is the President's scheduled stop following the tunnel tour? After concluding her tunnel inspection, the President is scheduled to return to Manali to pray at the historic Hidimba Devi Temple in Dhungri. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._