Atal Tunnel opened to tourists after 24 days

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, JANUARY 30

Atal Tunnel was thrown open to tourists today. It was closed on January 6 after snowfall.

The Kullu administration had stopped tourist vehicles beyond the Solang Nullah as the road to the tunnel had become risky due to icing on the road and avalanche threat. Only residents of Lahaul were allowed to cross the tunnel in 4X4 vehicles. Now, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had given the green signal to the administration to allow all types of vehicles to cross the tunnel.

DC Richa Verma said tourist vehicles would be allowed to go beyond Solang towards the tunnel till 1 pm and they be advised to return before 4 pm as the weather is uncertain in the area.

The district administration of Lahaul and Spiti is all set to cater to the tourist influx, which was witnessed for the first time during winters. The administration has completed the preparations and made adequate parking arrangements at the Sissu helipad.

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Rai said the road between the north portal of the tunnel and Sissu was safe for commuting. Tourist vehicles would be allowed up to Sissu till the weather conditions remained favourable. Only tourists having hotel booking and travelling in 4X4 vehicles would be allowed beyond Sissu. The tunnel would be closed for one hour from 11 am to 12 pm for maintenance.

Tourism beneficiaries of Manali and Lahaul were also demanding to reopen the tunnel for tourists. Vinay, a businessman of Manali, said Atal Tunnel was the latest craze among the visitors and adequate arrangements should be made to facilitate the movement of tourist vehicles to view the engineering marvel. Measures should be taken to keep the approach road to the tunnel commutable for all types of vehicles.

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