Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a public meeting at Sissu in Lahaul Valley, congratulated the people of the area for the tunnel, which would go a long way in giving boost to tourism and agricultural economy of the region.Earlier, Prime Minister was received at North Portal by Industries Minister Bikram Singh and Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania.Union Raksha Mantri Raj Nath Singh also addressed the public gathering at Sissu.Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while welcoming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sissu in Lahaul-Spiti today expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for dedicating Atal Tunnel Rohtang for the People of the country, which will provide all weather connectivity to the people of Lahaul and will play a pivotal role in tourism promotion. The Tunnel plays an important role from strategic point of view. This will help the defence forces to carry their logistics and other paraphernalia to Leh-Ladakh bordering China with ease.He said that the Prime Minister is well conversant with every nook and corner of the state and the culture of Himachal Pradesh.He said that he was happy to see a long cherished dream of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee being realised today. It was due to the earnest efforts of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Arjun Gopal (Tashi Dawa) a close friend of Atal ji, who convinced Shri Vajpayee for construction of the tunnel to bring change in the economy of people of Lahaul.Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur, Technical Education Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, Agriculture Minister Virender Kanwar, Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rajinder Garg, MP Ram Swaroop Sharma and other senior officers were also present on the occasion .