Shimla, Oct 4
The Rohtang Tunnel named after Late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was commissioned a year before and in the period as many as 6,59,087 vehicles have crossed it stated a press release issued by the state police headquarter.
Atal Tunnel Rohtang was dedicated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct 3, 2020 to the people of the country especially to the
landlocked residents of Lahaul Spiti to ensure 24×7 and round the year connectivity.
The traffic flow began on Oct 3 , 2020 and till Dec 31, 2020 it recorded movement of as many as 1,63,053 vehicles. The traffic control unit of Rohtang recorded as many as 5,18959
vehicles till Oct 2 ,2021 which increased to around 6,59,087 by October 3 on completion of one year of its commissioning.
The tunnel had opened for the restrictive movement before it was formally inaugurated and as many as 1, 63 053 vehicle crossed in
between Jan 1 2020 to Oct 2 , 2020 also . In Month of Oct 2020 about 57,099 vehicle crossed the tunnel, Sep – 38496 and Dec-44,533 respectively.
Monthwise movement of vehicles remained in Jan 2021 as many as 8,295, Feb- 9,934, Mar 62,122, Apr 59905, May- 14235, Jun 59739, Jul- 1,22,090, Aug-95,643, Sep-90,147 and Oct ( 1 to 3) – 5,8499 respectively.
The per day movement of vehicle was highest in August 3085 and July 3038.
State police have to deployed a special traffic unit known as ITMS (Intelligent Traffic Management System) to ensure smooth and accident free movement in the high security tunnel,also as Manali Leh highway being a sensitive and strategic route.
Since Manali Leh highway is not open round the year due to snow on the three passes which still need to crossed to reach Leh. Therefore in winter months Nov to May, tourists and local people ply only between between Manali and Keylong. However after opening of the highway movement
of traffic increased, stated a spokesperson. He said that in the month of July 2021 as many as 1,22090 vehicles crossed and used tunnel.
To ensure hassle free traffic to the local people and tourists the Traffic unit is keeping the tunnel open 24×7 round the year and also ensuring safety of tourists inside the tunnel.
Pertinent to mention that the opening of this tunnel not only increased the economic activities in the Lahaul Spiti district thorough out the year but it witnessed sudden increase in the footfall of tourists which also boosted the hospitality industry in the Manali and Keylong.
One the year of commissioning of this mega project which cost more than Rs 3500 Cr and is built by the Border Road Organisation.
State police spokesman said that the Manali-Rohtang pass-Keylong-Leh Road mainly remained open for four to five months in a year however now, baring a couple of extreme winter months vehicular traffic is plying 24×7 in between Manali- to Keylong, district headquarter of Lahaul Spiti district.
