Kullu:The much-awaited inauguration of 'Atal Tunnel', touted as the longest highway tunnel in the world, met with a minor setback as 17 employees involved in the inauguration ceremony tested positive for coronavirus. The tunnel is scheduled to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 in Rohtang.
As per information, among these infected are 3 police personnel, 1 Criminal Investigation Department jawan, 2 tourism department employees & 11 drivers from the secretariat. COVID-19 test has been made mandatory for all to participate in PM's program as per protocol.
The Health Department is conducting COVID-19 test of the employees who are on duty in the PM's program. Chief Medical Officer of Kullu, Dr Sushil Chandra Sharma confirmed that, as per the direction of the state government, COVID-19 samples are being investigated.
Read:PM Modi to inaugurate Atal Tunnel in Rohtang on Oct 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Atal Rohtang Tunnel of strategic importance on October 3. During the inauguration, security personnel will be deployed five times more than the public.
The world's longest tunnel - the Atal tunnel connecting Manali to Leh has finally been complete after 10 years. First, it was to be prepared in 6 years, but after 4 years more time was added to the project. The idea of constructing this tunnel is about 160 years old.
It is named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Last year, PM Modi announced on the 95th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the tunnel being built near Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh will be known as Atal Tunnel. This longest tunnel in the world, built at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level, for around Rs 3200 crores, will provide year-long connectivity to the part of Ladakh.
Also read:Atal tunnel to transform economy of Himachal Pradesh
