Atal Road Tunnel
Delivering Reliable Tunnel Atmosphere Monitoring at One of the World's Highest Road Tunnels
The Rohtang Road Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, India, is one of the country’s most significant transport infrastructure projects. Stretching 8.8 km beneath the Rohtang Pass at an elevation of almost 4,000 metres above sea level, the tunnel provides a vital year-round connection between Manali and Keylong, reducing journey times by approximately 60 km while maintaining access through one of the Himalayas’ most challenging environments.
In early 2020, CODEL was selected to supply 11 tunnel atmosphere monitoring systems for this prestigious project, providing continuous measurement of air quality and ventilation performance throughout the tunnel.
The Challenge
Operating an enclosed road tunnel at high altitude presents a unique set of challenges. Vehicle emissions continuously introduce pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, all of which must be carefully monitored to maintain a safe environment for motorists.
At the same time, ventilation systems represent one of the largest operational costs for tunnel operators. Running ventilation unnecessarily wastes energy, while insufficient ventilation can quickly compromise both air quality and visibility.
To operate efficiently, the tunnel required reliable, continuous monitoring capable of providing accurate real-time data for both safety and ventilation control.
In early 2020, CODEL was selected to supply 11 tunnel atmosphere monitoring systems for this prestigious project, providing continuous measurement of air quality and ventilation performance throughout the tunnel.
The Solution
CODEL supplied a complete tunnel atmosphere monitoring solution capable of continuously measuring carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, visibility, airflow speed, airflow direction and light intensity.
Designed specifically for tunnel applications, the system provides operators with the information needed to monitor changing conditions and optimise tunnel ventilation in real time. Accurate measurements allow ventilation systems to respond only when required, helping maintain safe conditions while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
The Outcome
The installation forms part of the tunnel’s overall safety infrastructure, providing continuous environmental monitoring throughout one of the world’s highest road tunnels.
By delivering reliable measurements of both air quality and airflow, the system supports safe tunnel operation, efficient ventilation control and long-term operational reliability. Installed alongside hundreds of other CODEL tunnel monitoring systems worldwide, the Rohtang Road Tunnel further demonstrates the capability of the TunnelTech range in demanding infrastructure applications.
