Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the strategically important all-weather Atal Tunnel at Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh. Mr Modi was accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Addressing the gathering, after inaugurating the historical Atal Tunnel the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Government has put in its full strength for development of border infrastructure.  He said, the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, tunnels are going on in a large scale and special emphasis has been given to development of border infrastructure. Mr  said, its benefits are being extended to the common people as well as the armed forces personnel.  

The Prime Minister said, for his Government there is nothing bigger than the safety and security of the people. He said, several big reforms were done to make modern weapons made in India weapons in the country. He said, after a long wait, the Chief of Defence Staff is now part of the system. He added that according to the requirements of the country’s armed forces, better coordination has been established in both procurement and production. Mr Modi said, not just Himachal Pradesh, Atal Tunnel will also be a lifeline for Leh-Ladakh.

Earlier CDS General Rawat and Army Chief General Naravane received the Prime Minister at the South Portal of Atal Tunnel of Rohtang. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur received the PM at Sase Helipad at Manali.

Atal Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in the world was built by the Border Roads Organisation. The tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and the travel time by four to five hours. The 9.02-km tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year, the valley was earlier cut off for about six months every year due to heavy snowfall.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had taken the decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass on June 3, 2000, and the foundation stone for the access road to the south portal of the tunnel was laid on May 26, 2002.

In December 2019, the Government decided to name the Rohtang Tunnel as Atal Tunnel in honour of the former Prime Minister and scholar Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had passed away the previous year.