Manali: The national President of BJP, Jagat Prakash Nadda, accompanied by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on Monday visited the Atal Tunnel near here where they were accorded a rousing welcome at the North Portal by officials of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). Later, they travelled to Sissu in Lahaul-Spiti district by road where they were accorded a traditional welcome.
Nadda said the tunnel is also important from a strategic point of view for ensuring uninterrupted supply of logistics and other support to the Indian Army posted at the frontiers. Earlier, on their arrival at the SASE Helipad, Nadda, who reached Himachal Pradesh on Sunday on a three-day tour, and the Chief Minister were welcomed by MP and state BJP President Suresh Kashyap, Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda and Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur, among others.
Read:| First convoy of Indian Army passes through newly-inaugurated Atal Tunnel
The Atal Tunnel, named after Vajpayee posthumously, has shortened the distance between Manali and Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, by 46 km, reducing the travel time by nearly three hours. It has also ensured all-weather connectivity. The tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 last year.
IANS
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