Atal Tunnel to boost tourism: Modi

Our Correspondent

KULLU, DECember 25

A day after the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to name the Rohtang tunnel after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today formally announced the decision during his address from Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, which was webcast at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute in Manali.

He said the strategic Atal Tunnel, connecting Manali and Leh, would change the fortunes of the region and help promote tourism.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur paid tribute to Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary at Prini village in the district today. The CM launched the ‘Ek Buta Beti Ke Naam’ scheme from Vajpayee’s house at Prini. Under this scheme, five saplings will be presented to the families of newborn girl child.

During his address, Thakur said Vajpayee always considered Himachal his second home. Vajpayee not only visited Manali, but also organised Kavi Sammelan where he used to recite his favourite poems. Not only this, he had written a poem on Manali which showed his love for the town. The CM said the idea to construct the tunnel connecting the landlocked Lahaul valley with rest of the world was conceived by Vajpayee and the project was also announced by him. He said the project was the biggest gift of Vajpayee to the state.

The CM said the government would complete two years in office on December 27. He said it had launched several schemes for socio-economic uplift of the people.

Thakur also presented the state-level ‘Best City Award’ of Rs 1 crore to Nagar Council, Sundernagar, for the best performance, Rs 75 lakh to Nagar Panchayat, Chopal, for outstanding performance and Rs 10 lakh each to Nagar Councils Rampur and Nurpur for excellent work in cleanliness and providing the best public utility services.

He presented a prize of Rs 5 lakh to Nagar Panchayat, Arki, for outstanding work in cleanliness and Rs 5 lakh to Nagar Panchayat, Rajgarh, for providing the best public services to the people in 2018.

The CM also presented Rs 1 crore to Nagar Council, Palampur, for the outstanding work, Rs 75 lakh to Nagar Panchayat, Rajgarh, for the best performance, Rs 5 lakh each to Nagar Council, Naina Deviji and Nagar Panchayat, Sarkaghat, for the best work in cleanliness and Rs 5 lakh each to Nagar Council, Bilaspur, and Nagar Panchayat, Nadaun, in providing the best public utility services.

The CM released a book on Vajpayee brought out by the State Language, Art and Culture Department which has been edited by Dr Inder Singh Thakur.