New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Sela tunnel which will provide an all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Modi also unveiled numerous projects totalling Rs 55,600 crore across Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh during a programme in Itanagar.
Watch PM Modi’s Itanagar address here:
We are committed to making the Northeast the growth engine of India. Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Northeast’ programme in Itanagar.https://t.co/dhHibYEwJG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024
Here’s everything you need to know about the Sela Tunnel:
Situated at an impressive elevation of 13,000 feet, the Sela Tunnel has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of Rs 825 crore. The project consists of two tunnels: Tunnel 1 spans 1,003 metres, while Tunnel 2 comprises twin tubes and extends over 1,595 meters. Additionally, the project includes two roads measuring 8.6 km in total.
Designed to accommodate a traffic density of 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks per day, the tunnel allows for a maximum speed of 80 kmph.
Arunachal Pradesh eagerly awaits the arrival of our beloved Hon’ble PM, Shri @narendramodi ji, as he will dedicate the Sela Tunnel and launch various development projects worth Rs 55,000 cr for the NorthEast India.
A step towards a developed NorthEast and #ViksitBharat. pic.twitter.com/x7qOL4XCYK— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) March 8, 2024
Its significance lies in providing all-weather connectivity to Tawang, which shares a border with China. By reducing travel time to Tawang by at least an hour, the tunnel facilitates faster deployment of weapons, soldiers and equipment to forward areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Located near the Sela Pass, the tunnel addresses the challenges posed by the closure of the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road for prolonged periods due to snowfall and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. The ‘Sela Tunnel’ project not only enhances the country’s defense preparedness but also catalyzes the socio-economic development of the region.
Although Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of the project in February 2019, its progress was impeded by various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the completion of the project underscores India’s focus on bolstering border infrastructure to narrow the gap with China.
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