The distance between which two cities has been reduced by the Atal Tunnel ?

The Atal Tunnel, also known as the Rohtang Tunnel, is a 9.02 km long highway tunnel built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas [2]. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,000 metres above mean sea level [1]. The tunnel provides all-weather connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley, which previously remained cut off for six months due to heavy snowfall at Rohtang Pass [2]. Strategically, the tunnel is a critical component of the Manali-Leh highway axis [3]. It significantly reduces the road distance between Manali and Leh by approximately 46 km and cuts travel time by four to five hours [2]. This engineering marvel ensures that the remote regions of Ladakh remain accessible from Himachal Pradesh throughout the year, bypassing the treacherous and weather-dependent Rohtang Pass [2].

Sources

1. [1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Other Roads > p. 78
2. [2] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1796961
3. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > Main Mountain Passes > p. 19