Rohtang Tunnel will transform the economy of landlocked lahaul Spiti district by providing all weather connectivity to this beautiful valley, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Friday after he crossed over to Shisu in lahaul Spiti through Rohtang Tunnel from South side from Dhundi in Kullu district.
The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of work with senior officers of the Border Road Organisation and Strabag AG Afcons JV Company executing this ambitious project of national importance.
Union Minister of Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari was to visit Rohtang to review the progress in the work of this tunnel, but due to bad weather he could not reach here. The total cost of this 9 kms Tunnel Project was Rs. 4083 crore and the biggest hurdle in construction was managing of Seri Nallah in between the tunnel. Only this stretch of about 600 metres took about four years, he added.
Thakur said the tunnel would not only provide all weather connectivity to lahaul valley but also open the valley for tourists and provide them opportunity to enjoy the serene beauty of lahaul and Spiti district. He said that the tunnel was also of strategic importance as it would provide all weather road connectivity upto leh ladakh bordering China. This tunnel was a scientific marvel and on completion would attract tourists from all over the world. He said that this project would be completed by November next year.
He said the Union Government was contemplating to construct three more tunnels on this road upto leh so that this road of strategic importance could be strengthened and distance upto leh ladakh would be reduced by about 100 kms. and travelling distance by about seven hours.