Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s longest twin-lane Sela tunnel today, a crucial project aimed at addressing the frequent closure of the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang road due to snow and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the region.

The foundation stone for the Sela tunnel project was laid by the Prime Minister on February 9, 2019, marking the commencement of construction on April 1 of the same year. Positioned at an elevation of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh, the tunnel holds strategic significance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The project consists of two tunnels, with the first being a single-tube tunnel spanning 1,003 meters and the second tunnel measuring 1,595 meters, featuring an escape tube for emergencies. Additionally, the tunnel’s infrastructure includes 8.6 km-long approach and link roads. The escape tube serves as a vital route for the movement of rescue vehicles and the evacuation of stranded individuals during emergencies.

Engineered to accommodate a traffic density of 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks per day, the Sela tunnel boasts a maximum speed limit of 80 km per hour. Constructed at a cost of ₹825 crore, the tunnel was built using the innovative New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).

The colossal project, which spanned over five years, required over 90 lakh man-hours, with an average of approximately 650 personnel and laborers working diligently each day. The construction of the tunnel utilized a substantial amount of resources, including 71,000 metric tonnes of cement, 5,000 metric tonnes of steel, and 800 metric tonnes of explosives.

The inauguration of the Sela tunnel marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity and accessibility in the region, addressing challenges posed by adverse weather conditions and contributing to the overall development of the tunnel’s area.

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