History TV18’s latest documentary Modern Marvel: Atal Tunnel provides an extensive account of the engineering marvel. From delving into the history of the Pir Panjal range to the need for the better infrastructural facility in the western Himalayas, Atal Tunnel is a triumph of man and the machine.
The almost half-an-hour long documentary is skillfully edited so as the engage the viewer throughout its duration. Featuring the men behind the task, the documentary brings to fore the necessity and the utility of the tunnel with respect to geo-political and socio-economic issues. The episode features Secretary, Ministry of Defence, locals, the Chief Engineer, Director General, Border Roads Organisation, and the Minister of Defence himself.
Atal Tunnel, named after India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was discussed in 2000 when he met his childhood friend Arjun Gopal, a resident of Lahaul. Inaugurated on October 3, 2020, it is the longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft above sea level.
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Atal Tunnel, today, is a popular drive through for many. In fact, the internet is flooded with images clicked by travelers featuring the mouth of the tunnel in the backdrop of the snowcapped Himalayas. However, the rigorous engineering exercise that began in 2008, incites sheer bewilderment. Modern Marvel: Atal Tunnel takes its viewers along with the men behind the scenes as they explain how precision and determination paved way for this engineering marvel. The only alternative being Rohtang Pass, the Atal Tunnel now is a crucial drive that connects people to the cities of Himachal Pradesh. The documentary chronicles the tireless commitment of thousands of workers who worked at a height where the temperature drops to -20 degree Celsius.
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HistoryTV18’s action-packed half-hour documentary uncovers little-known facts, shining the light on the enormity and complexity of the endeavor. The documentary encapsulates the voices of all those who were involved in this journey. The documentary merits a two time watch simply because of the amount of crucial information packed into it that does not come across as heavily bookish but as an engaging account of how events transpired.
