BRO: Palchan to Atal Tunnel road safe for traffic

Our Correspondent

Kullu, December 20

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Chief Engineer VK Singh today said the road from Palchan to Atal Tunnel was completely safe, especially during the winter season. He said the BRO had made elaborate arrangements to check the problem of glaciers at various places. He was speaking during a meeting held with Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar to review safety issues of Atal Tunnel, besides the existing road conditions.

The Chief Engineer said 11 of the 12 snow protection structures and galleries had been completed between Palchan and north portal of the Atal Tunnel and over 50 per cent of the construction work of the 12th structure had already been accomplished and the remaining work would be done soon after the winter season. He said modern technology and engineering had been incorporated in their construction and these structures were fully capable of protecting people against danger by reducing the intensity of the glacier.

He said in view of the increasing number of tourists, an action plan had also been prepared by the BRO for the construction of two parking lots with a parking capacity of 3,000 vehicles. He said, “To deal with the problem of traffic jams during the peak tourist season, an alternate bypass would also be constructed which would be completed within the next two years.” He added that the BRO was also working on a plan to set up three cafeterias equipped with all facilities in view of the winter season from Palchan to Sissu.

Lahaul-Spiti DC Neeraj Kumar said the Kullu Superintendent of Police had been asked to devise a separate mechanism for Lahaul-bound local vehicles so that they do not face problems due to unnecessary traffic jams. He added that emergency services might also get affected due to the long traffic jams in the Solang area and in view of both these aspects, the Kullu police had been asked to develop a system and make appropriate arrangements.