Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday. After a long struggle of almost ten years, the longest high-altitude road tunnel is now built. It is carved out under the Rohtang Pass.?
The Atal Rohtang tunnel is supposed to make sure that there is uninterrupted traffic between Manali and Leh throughout the year.?It will also cater to Lahaul-Spiti in Himachala Pradesh during winters.?
As part of the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi walked into the tunnel and also took a ride in an open vehicle. Videos of him doing the same started surfacing the internet and netizens were quick to point out a very obvious thing - Modi ji was waving but there was no crowd. So, who was he waving at?
Well, as you would expect, social media had some answers.
Also read:?All You Need To Know About Atal Rohtang Tunnel, The Longest High-Altitude Road Tunnel In The World
The tunnel is one of the two routes into Ladakh; it will also become the route used to resupplying the military garrison there. The other route into Ladakh is through the Zojila Pass which connects the Kashmir Valley with Drass.??
Four more tunnels have been proposed on the way to Leh since that part of the country faces heavy snow cover for about six months in a year and is difficult to reach. Thanks to the Atal Rohtang tunnel, movement of goods to and from Lahaul will be easy.?