Atal Tunnel, the world's longest highway tunnel connects Manali with ________.

The correct answer is Lahaul-Spiti.

Key Points

• Atal Tunnel:
  • On October 3, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Atal Tunnel’ World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
  • The 9.02 Kilometre Long Tunnel has been constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of INR 3, 300 crores.
  • It connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley.

 Important Points

• The Tunnel is built in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Meters (10, 000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
• Prior to the construction of the Tunnel, Lahaul-Spiti valley was cut off for 6 months due to heavy snowfall.
• It reduces the road distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometres and time by about 4 to 5 hours, and the distance between Manali and Keylong (Himachal) will be reduced by 3-4 hours.
• The South Portal (SP) of the Atal Tunnel has located a distance of 25 kilometres from Manali and the North Portal (NP) is located near the village of Telling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley.
• The Tunnel can withstand a traffic density of 3, 000 cars a day and 1, 500 trucks a day at a maximum speed of 80 Kilometres Per Hour.