Srinagar: – Indian Army fleet passed, for the first time, through the Atal Tunnel; the route connecting Manali with Leh for all round the year, after it was opened for traffic. The Atal Tunnel has strategic importance as this will facilitate quick movement of personnel and equipment to the army units deployed on the LAC during wartime. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently dedicated the Atal Tunnel to the nation. Whereas the Chinese government mouthpiece, Global Times, threatened that this tunnel would not be useful for the Indian Army during wartime. Against this background, the first contingent of the Indian Army passed through the tunnel, up to the LAC, on Thursday.
Atal Tunnel was a critical phase in the government’s plan to build the 475 kilometres long, Manali-Keylong-Leh highway. This part is cut off from the rest of India due to the heavy snowfall in the area. But because of this underground tunnel, Manali and Leh will remain connected for all the 12 months of the year. The construction of this tunnel needed ten years. This 8.82-kilometre long tunnel, located at 10,000 feet above sea level, is the longest in the world at that altitude.
Completion of the Atal Tunnel work, against the background of the tension with China and Pakistan, will be beneficial for the Indian Army. This underground tunnel will facilitate the expeditious movement of the army personnel and equipment to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The importance of the tunnel is further underlined as even the tanks will be able to pass through the tunnel along with other military vehicles.
The tunnel has been opened for tourists, following its opening on 3rd of October. The military fleet passed through the tunnel within just five days of opening. It is being said that the infrastructure facilities in the border areas have been strengthened because of this tunnel.
Related posts:
More than 1.9 million excluded from NRC final list
India and other Asian countries under threat from the Communist Party of China, warns Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Ladakh
India will become Atmanirbhar if attention is paid to 15 sectors, claims ASSOCHAM
World’s first electrified rail tunnel in India in progress
ISI training Taliban terrorists for saboteur activities in India, warn defence agencies
Atal Tunnel, built to reduce distance between Manali and Leh, completed
Indian Air Force fully prepared for any situation on both China, Pakistan fronts: IAF chief
