Pestle Analysis of The ATAL TUNNEL

Technological- Since the tunnel was being constructed at such a challenging place and had to

undergo the harsh weather conditions time and again it was necessary for the construction to be

as technologically advanced as possible so that it remains feasible not only for the present

generation but also for future generations to come. The tunnel boasts of a state of the art semi

transverse ventilation system powered by three axial fans of 630 KW, the heaviest in the country,

at each portal. During the execution stage, there was a request from Himachal Pradesh State

Electricity Board to facilitate 33 kV connectivity between South Portal & North Portal through

the tunnel which led to redesigning of the MV System completely and procurement of additional

material such as 33 kV Cable, additional 33 kV GIS Panels, etc. The tunnel was equipped with

various technologies to facilitate the public to commute through the tunnel.

Some of the important technological features of the tunnel include-

* Telephone connections at 150 m for emergency communication.

* Fire hydrant mechanisms at 75 m.

* Auto incident detection system with CCTV cameras at 250 m.

* Turning caverns at every 2.2 km.

* Air quality monitoring at every 1 km.

* Evacuation lighting/exit signs at 25 m.

* Broadcasting system throughout the tunnel.

* Fire-rated Dampers at every 50 m.

Legal- Not many legal challenges had to be faced by the project other than the change of

governments during the construction process which caused delay in passing the project tasks.
Since the project has been started since the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s governance as the

Prime Minister of India, the project has passed through hindrances caused by change of

governments time to time and it was finally completed years later in the year 2020 during the

governance if the Modi government which resorted to completion of this dream project of the

former Prime Minister of the country -Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is even noteworthy that

during the project timeline and even before the project was started, a lot of first hand research

had to be conducted on the feasibility aspect of the project since it was the first of its kind and

not much prior information was available of projects of tunnel construction of such length and

grandeur and that too at an altitude high enough to deem the tunnel as the longest high altitude

tunnel in the world.

Environmental- One of the most important challenges which caused hindrance in the

construction of the Tunnel was the harsh climate in the region of Rohtang pass. Extreme cold

and snow reduced the working capacity of not only the working force but also the efficiency of

the machines at work. Seri Nala Fault was another challenge which caused drainage and filth in

the tunnel and hindered the construction process of the tunnel reducing the digging speed of the

tunnel from 250m a day to a maximum of 25m a day which further reduced to even half a meter

a day. Freezing cold waves were testing human perseverance. The climate additionally confined

the functioning hours radically, presenting time punishments in the execution of work. Climate

played ruin and impacted the soundness of individuals engaged with the development of the

passage. This necessary extraordinary attire and working units for daring men working in the

passage as they were impacted by the accompanying sicknesses :-

Hypothermia.
Frostbite.

Repeated Cold and Cough.

Chest Contamination.

Chilblains.

Submersion and Trench foot.

Atal Tunnel was visualized for beating the trouble of a half year conclusion of the street because

of weighty snow on the Rohtang Pass and scaling for right around 1000 meters and afterward

descending for 1000 meters for coming to a spot called Sisu town in Lahaul and Spiti. Such a

slope should be explored in a street length of 70 Km's and travel time from 3 hrs in ideal

conditions to 12 hrs ordinarily in the pinnacle seasons. The Covid-19 Pandemic in the principal

quarter of 2020 made one more significant test in the execution of the tunnel construction. The

pandemic caused the construction to come to standstill as the lockdown was imposed and the

labour went back to their hometown. This also caused delay in the completion of the tunnel

which was already running late due to the Seri Nala Fault which caused a delay in the

construction by about 4 years.