DW BUREAU / shimla hp Governor Bandaru Dattatraya said that Atal Tunnel Rohtang will have an immense impact on strengthening the development activities in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti (L&S) district, especially from tourism point of view.The Governor was interacting with senior officers of Strabag-Afcons joint venture Company, hired by Border Road Organization for executing the work of this strategic tunnel of national importance, at Raj Bhavan, today. He said that this tunnel was bound to transform the economy of landlocked Lahaul-Spiti district by providing all weather connectivity to this beautiful valley which remains closed for nearly six months in a year due to the Rohtang Pass being completely snow-clad between November and April. The Officers of the executing agency told how this piece of engineering marvel came into existence and said that the biggest hindrance in construction of this tunnel was Seri Nallah, which was manoeuvred with the hard work of engineers. Difficulties increased exponentially due to heavy flow of slurry from crown area to tunnel face leading to frequent disruption of execution of works. They told how Sub-Zero temperatures had adverse effects on characteristics and performance of various material and equipments and difficulty in placing of concrete in sub-zero temperatures. Showing satisfaction over the completion of the tunnel, the Governor said that the world's longest road tunnel at an altitude above 3,000 metres is also significant from the military logistics point of view and will provide better connectivity to the armed forces in reaching Ladakh and will reduce the road length of the Manali-Rohtang Pass road by 46 km. The new tunnel is going to make travel much easier for the people of the region and is also going to be strategically important for the country in dealing with any issues along the LAC. Dattatraya said that the social workers and non-government organizations working in tribal areas and outside tribal areas for the welfare of tribal people should be mobilized so that people of these areas can draw maximum benefits of the development schemes of the government.He was reviewing the progress of Tribal Development Department. (editor@dailyworld.in)