The much awaited excavation work of Rohtang Tunnel begins today. The National Advisory Council Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi will lay the foundation stone of the 8.8 kilometer horse shoe shaped tunnel at the southern portal, 25 kilometers from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony will also be present on the occasion besides several dignitaries. The tunnel will be strategically important for the army in the border areas of Leh-Laddakh. AIR correspondent reports that the double lane tunnel will reduce distance of the Manali-Leh highway by about 46 kilometers and would be ready by 2015. <br/> <br/>