Dream Catcher - The ATAL Tunnel – Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh
In-front of the Tunnel in November 2020 Tunnel in March 2021 Under construction in October 2017 The South Portal - June 2023 I heard about the proposal of a Rohtang Tunnel (its initial name) when I visited Manali for the first time in October 1997. To me it sounded an almost impossible dream as the mountains looked mighty and impregnable and tunnel too long – imagine a tunnel of 9-10 km long at such a height. Nonetheless it was a dream worth dreaming for many reasons – some strategic, some pleasure. After 1998 when I visited Manali in 2017, I was happy to learn that the work on the tunnel not only started but was almost complete - main work being done by BRO - Border Road Organisation. I got an opportunity to visit the tunnel and travelled up to 2-3 km inside. The experience was simply exhilarating coupled with a sense of wonder and achievement and looked forward to the day we could cross it and reach Lahaul- a faraway destination. The main tunnel under construction - 2017 With Off