The world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, known as the Sela Tunnel, was officially opened on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently visiting Arunachal Pradesh. The PM attended the “Viksit Bharat Viksit North East” program’s launching ceremony in Itanagar. In addition, PM Modi initiated a number of additional state-wide development initiatives, like as the ₹10,000 crore UNNATI program.
All you need to know about the Sela Tunnel:
- Built at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the Sela Tunnel was constructed at a cost of ₹825 crore by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The project consists of two tunnels: Tunnel 2 is a 1,595-meter twin-tube tunnel and Tunnel 1 is 1,003 meters long. Additionally, two 8.6-kilometer roads are part of the project. With a maximum speed of 80 kmph, the tunnel is intended to handle 2,000 trucks and 3,000 automobiles every day.
- The tunnel is significant as it will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang bordering China. It will also cut down the travel time to Tawang by at least one hour, allowing faster deployment of weapons, soldiers, and equipment to forward areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- The tunnel, located near Sela Pass, was required as the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road remains closed for a long period of the year due to snowfall and landslides caused by heavy rainfall.
- The ‘Sela Tunnel’ project is said to not only boost the country’s defence preparedness but also give a fillip to the region’s socio-economic development.
- PM Modi laid the project’s foundation in February 2019, however the Covid-19 outbreak was one of the many reasons why the work was delayed. The project’s completion has now drawn attention to India’s push for border infrastructure intended to close the gap with China.
Read More
Job Fraud Leaves Mangaluru Youth Duped of Rs 5.8 Lakh in Karkala
