President Kovind visits Atal Tunnel in Himachal

Shimla, June 11 (Agency) President Ram Nath Kovind visited the Atal Tunnel Rohtang (ATR) on Saturday morning. Atal Tunnel is the longest tunnel in the world at an altitude of over 10,000 feet. Earlier, the President had reached Himachal Pradesh on a two-day visit on Friday. President Kovind entered the tunnel from the north gate in Lahaul Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district and reached the south gate of the tunnel at Manali in Kullu district after covering a distance of 9.02 km. After visiting the Atal Tunnel, Kovind expressed happiness over its construction. He said that this tunnel is related to the future of the country. Earlier, President Kovind reached Sisu village near the northern gate of the tunnel by an Indian Air Force helicopter. On reaching here, he was greeted in a traditional way. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presented a Thanka painting to the President. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and state cabinet minister Ram Lal Markanda were also present on the occasion. The Atal Tunnel Rohtang, built under a 13,058-feet high mountain in Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3, 2020. This tunnel is open in all seasons.