During his one-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Sela Tunnel, which holds the distinction of being the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel. The inauguration ceremony was held in Itanagar as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East’ program, in which the PM actively participated. Additionally, PM Modi initiated various other developmental projects in the state, such as the UNNATI scheme, which is valued at ₹10,000 crore.
Everything you should be aware of regarding the Sela Tunnel:
The Sela Tunnel, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of ₹825 crore, is located at an elevation of 13,000 feet. This project consists of two tunnels – Tunnel 1, which spans 1,003 meters, and Tunnel 2, a twin-tube tunnel measuring 1,595 meters. Additionally, the project includes the construction of two roads spanning 8.6 km. The tunnel has been designed to accommodate a traffic density of 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks per day, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kmph.
The significance of this tunnel lies in its provision of all-weather connectivity to Tawang, which shares a border with China. It will also reduce travel time to Tawang by at least one hour, enabling quicker deployment of weapons, soldiers, and equipment to forward areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Due to heavy snowfall and landslides caused by intense rainfall, the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road remains closed for a significant portion of the year. The construction of the ‘Sela Tunnel’ near Sela Pass was necessitated by this situation.
This project, known as the ‘Sela Tunnel,’ not only enhances the country’s defense preparedness but also contributes to the socio-economic development of the region.
Although the foundation of the project was laid by PM Modi in February 2019, its completion was delayed due to various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the successful completion of this project highlights India’s efforts to strengthen its border infrastructure and bridge the gap with China.