[Raul258]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

An observation, maybe some guys with knowledge can comment. Shouldn't there be some water drainage pipes? I have seen water seeping in many tunnels, even in Europe. And here also, we can see some water on the road already. Or am I missing something completely?

The water percolating from the top is diverted to both sides using impermeable membranes placed throughout the tunnel. The discharge is collected by small drainage tunnels on both sides and simply flow out of the tunnel.

These membranes are said to have a life of over 100 years and will outlast most tunnels.

[sgiitk]

This reduces driving time from Manali to Leh a lot and is an all weather road providing full time connectivity. I remember our son going from Manali to Leh had to stay overnight in tents, and that too in summer only. This will be invaluable to the army.

The road narrows down a lot and is almost claustrophobic

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

This reduces driving time from Manali to Leh a lot and is an all weather road providing full time connectivity. I remember our son going from Manali to Leh had to stay overnight in tents, and that too in summer only. This will be invaluable to the army.

The road narrows down a lot and is almost claustrophobic

If he has stayed in tents, then it would most likely be at Jispa or Sarchu. Well there are guesthouses enroute at Keylong, Darcha and Jispa since more than 15 years. Staying in tents is personal choice and is usually not recommended at Sarchu because of high altitude and no acclimatization. Sarchu is about 14500 above m.s.l. and the highest point in the day that one would travel, even higher than Rohtang la. For proper acclimatization, one must attain higher altitude in the day and sleep the same night at a lower level. Hence Keylong or Jispa is ideal for overnight stay, as they are lower than Rohtang.

[ruzbehxyz]

Just found this interesting info in TOI.

The 4G internet network inside the tunnel is working well. Unlike other tunnels, where travellers lose mobile network, this tunnel provides uninterrupted BSNL mobile network with high-speed internet connectivity.

Project director Colonel Parikshit Mehra said the tunnel is being supplied with 11KVA of electricity to power equipment. “In case of power failure, we have UPS support besides power generators. There is no chance of the tunnel losing power.

Source: https://m.timesofindia.com/india/wor..._content=om-bm

[mmxylorider]

An interesting factoid. This is one of the few tunnels worldwide which has the evacuation tunnel under the main tunnel. It can also accommodate small vehicle to aid in evacuation. Apparently this allows a circular tunnel to be bored and split into two levels as opposed to parallel tunnels.

[mmxylorider]

From what I have read few months ago, this tunnel will, in case of emergency, serve as storage/stockpile of arms and ammunition for the armed forces deployed around the Leh area. An almost 9 km long bunker like facility will allow for sizeable stockpile. Add to this the newly built alternate routes to Leh, which would still origination at north of the Atal tunnel will make this year long accessible.

[bosem123]

On a slightly different note, I would like to ask here- do any of you suffer problems with respect to claustrophobia? I am not sure how comfortable it will be to travel through 9+ km of that distance. And what happens in there is a traffic jam inside?

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by bosem123

On a slightly different note, I would like to ask here- do any of you suffer problems with respect to claustrophobia? I am not sure how comfortable it will be to travel through 9+ km of that distance. And what happens in there is a traffic jam inside?

That's a good question. It's like you suffer from vertigo and still go to the mountains.
The tunnel has advanced ventilation systems and power back up to keep everything running.
As discussed earlier, these are strategic roads for defense and also for locals who are isolated in remote areas - Lahaul valley in this case.
9 kms. of tunnel is not much. There are similar tunnels across the world.
I will give you an example - On the main Central Railway line from Mumbai towards South and Eastern India, we have to pass through the Bhor ghat between Karjat and Khandala. This section of about 24 kms. has about 25 tunnels and some of these are back to back, but people are traveling on this line for more 100 years, as there's no other way unless you travel by road.

Such roads are required for defense and socio-economic development. And the main reasons for tunelling is to keep the road open year round.

In regards to traffic jam, we will only know once the road opens and there is peek traffic in summer (summer of 2021). And I am sure BRO has systems in place to monitor.

Previously there use to heavy traffic jam (for kilometres) from Manali to Rohtang in summer as loads of tourists visited Rohtang pass (not exactly to the top). This delayed tourists to Leh and locals going further. Finally Manali authorities regulated the traffic by reducing the number of cars and introducing a permit system. With the opening of the tunnel, the tourists for Rohtang will be segregated and probably see no jams unless there is an accident.

[srikrishna717]

Thanks for sharing this. This seems to be an outstanding Engineering marvel given the difficult conditions there. The video you shared gives a stunning view and the amount of work that has gone in to this. This will be a big boon to our Army and civilians. I am curious how the exit tunnels look like and where they lead to. From your description there must be about 4 to 5 of them, do you have any pictures of those?

[AirbusCapt]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

A long awaited project is finally complete. Kudos to BRO. Will lead to some much needed de-crowding of Rohtang. Best for snow hunting tourists, best for people going to Lahaul and Ladakh, best for our troops.

On a related note, do members feel such tunnels will reduce the charm of the Manali-Leh road trip? Rohtang after all was not just a landmark but a major challenge. It tested your skills as well as your patience. Now, any novice can zip through in 45minutes.

You can say likewise about the Mumbai Pune expressway then. Prior to the expressway the old highway journey used to take 6 hours, with frequent traffic jams, overheated vehicles, breakdowns and steep sections to challange novice drivers.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by bosem123

On a slightly different note, I would like to ask here- do any of you suffer problems with respect to claustrophobia? I am not sure how comfortable it will be to travel through 9+ km of that distance. And what happens in there is a traffic jam inside?

A tunnel of this length, not to mention its strategic location, will certainly be monitored. I've observed long tunnel often have traffic lights or stop-go barriers, to limit traffic in the event of a breakdown or accident, with real-time speed limit updation to prevent jams inside the tunnel.

[mmxylorider]

Some more safety features described below

"Nevertheless, the latest tunnel is a true testament to India's engineering nous. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Director General Lt Gen Harpal Singh had previously noted that the tunnel had an overburden of approximately two km high mountain, discussing the immense stress placed on it and the challenges faced in its construction.

An emergency tunnel that lies under the main tunnel has also been built in case of any incident that renders the latter unusable. There is also a telephone located every 150 metres, a fire hydrant every 60 metres, an emergency exit every half a km, a turning cavern every 2.2 km, a broadcasting system, and CCTV cameras stationed every 250 metres.
According to BRO officials, the tunnel will have a maximum speed limit of 80km per hour, and is expected to accommodate traffic of up to 1,500 trucks and 3,000 cars per day. "


Surprisingly there is no mention in any media about medical facilities - like first aid boxes or O2 cylinders (within the main/egress tunnel) or a small first aid station on either side of the tunnel. Probably vandalism will render that impractical plus the average driver probably will not be able to use that equipment.

With high altitudes (not sure what the elevation difference is between the two ends), the acclimatization time will reduce drastically.



Source

[ruzbehxyz]

Atal tunnel to be inaugrated by PM on 03rd Oct.2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass on the Leh-Manali highway in Himachal Pradesh on October 3, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday. He also added that the PM is expected to visit Lahaul as well.

Jai Ram Thakur, however, stressed that the proposed plan is tentative as dates are yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, state minister Ram Lal Markanda said that the Prime Minister may address the public after inaugurating the tunnel at Sissu or Keylong in Lahaul. He added that the PM would flag off a bus through the tunnel.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/a...tober-3/655821

[vdi]

There is a youtuber from Kerala MIDHUN V SHANKAR already driven thru this tunnel and the video is uploaded in Jan. Episode 33 has got the visuals.

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by vdi

There is a Youtuber from Kerala MIDHUN V SHANKAR already driven thru this tunnel and the video is uploaded in Jan. Episode 33 has got the visuals.

The tunnel, end to end met in Nov. 2017 and the Himachal government decided to allow ambulances in case of emergencies, especially when helicopter services could not be used. However at that time, the ventilation system was not ready. Locals from Lahual started using the tunnel unofficially from 2018. So it's not unusual, if some people have traveled through the tunnel.
Most of the works were completed in 2019, however some things kept dragging on and we are still waiting for the inaugration.