Tourism – Atal Tunnel Safety Review Planned After Heavy Traffic Surge
Tourism – The growing rush of tourists towards Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude destinations has prompted authorities to initiate the first-ever comprehensive safety assessment of the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh route. Officials confirmed that the Border Roads Organisation will conduct the audit on June 2 as vehicle movement through the tunnel continues to rise beyond its intended operational capacity.
The move comes at a time when the summer tourism season has brought record traffic to the Lahaul-Spiti region. Data collected between May 11 and May 17 revealed that more than 24,000 vehicles entered the tunnel, while over 21,000 exited during the same period. The figures reflect a sharp increase in both tourist and local travel across the strategically significant highway corridor.
Tourist Movement Continues to Rise
Traffic levels around the tunnel have shown a steady upward trend since the start of the tourist season. Between March 30 and April 5, nearly 19,120 vehicles entered the tunnel, while over 17,500 exited. In the following weeks, the numbers continued climbing, with more than 23,600 vehicles recorded entering the tunnel between April 27 and May 3.
Officials monitoring the route said the increase has remained consistent through May, especially during weekends and holiday periods when visitors head towards Lahaul-Spiti in large numbers. The tunnel has become one of the most preferred routes for travelers because it offers direct and faster access to the region throughout much of the year.
Capacity Pressure Raises Safety Concerns
The Atal Tunnel was originally planned to accommodate around 3,000 cars and 1,500 trucks daily. However, authorities stated that during peak tourist periods, the total traffic volume frequently crosses the designed limit. On several occasions, vehicle movement has reportedly reached between 7,500 and 10,000 vehicles within 24 hours.
Officials believe the rising load on the tunnel infrastructure requires a detailed technical review to ensure commuter safety. Concerns have also increased because no full-scale safety audit has been carried out since the tunnel became operational in 2020.
According to administrative sources, the district administration of Lahaul and Spiti recently approached officials in Kullu district, requesting an immediate assessment of the tunnel’s safety arrangements and traffic management system. The request was formally communicated by Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana to Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma.
Joint Exercise by District Administrations
Authorities said the audit will be conducted jointly by the district administrations of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti along with the Border Roads Organisation, which maintains the highway infrastructure in the region.
Confirming the development, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma stated that the increasing traffic volume had made the assessment necessary. He noted that the current tourist inflow has placed significant pressure on the tunnel, especially during the ongoing holiday season.
He further explained that once the BRO completes the inspection and submits its findings, officials will review whether additional traffic control measures or safety mechanisms are needed for both summer and winter operations. The administration is expected to examine emergency response systems, vehicle regulation measures, and crowd management strategies as part of the exercise.
Importance of the Atal Tunnel
The 9.02-kilometre-long Atal Tunnel remains one of the country’s most important mountain road infrastructure projects. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2020.
Constructed above 10,000 feet, the tunnel is regarded among the world’s longest highway tunnels at such a high altitude. It connects Manali to Keylong by bypassing the snow-covered Rohtang Pass, significantly reducing travel time between Kullu and the remote Lahaul-Spiti valley.
The tunnel forms part of National Highway-3 and serves as a critical transport link for residents, tourists, and supply vehicles throughout the year. Local authorities have urged commuters to follow traffic rules carefully and cooperate with officials to ensure smooth movement during the ongoing tourist season.