In the imminent sojourn to Arunachal Pradesh on the morrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to usher in the grandiose commencement of the world’s lengthiest dual-lane passageway – the ‘Sela Tunnel.’ The ceremonial inauguration, set to unfold around 10:30 am in Itanagar, coincides with the Premier’s active involvement in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East’ initiative. Additionally, PM Modi will unveil an array of progressive projects within the state, including the UNNATI scheme, valued at a substantial ₹10,000 crore.
Dive into the intricacies of the Sela Tunnel: Nestled at a lofty elevation of 13,000 feet, the Sela Tunnel is a feat accomplished by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an expenditure of ₹825 crore. The venture encompasses two tunnels – Tunnel 1 spans a length of 1,003 meters, while Tunnel 2 stands as an elongated twin-tube conduit measuring 1,595 meters. Complementing these, two thoroughfares stretch across 8.6 kilometers. Tailored for a traffic intensity of 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks daily, the tunnel boasts a top speed threshold of 80 kmph. The tunnel assumes paramount importance, establishing perennial connectivity to Tawang, nestled along the Chinese border. This substantial infrastructure will effectively truncate the voyage duration to Tawang by a minimum of one hour, expediting the mobilization of weaponry, troops, and machinery to strategic locations proximal to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Strategically positioned near Sela Pass, this tunnel has become a requisite due to the prolonged inaccessibility of the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road during extensive periods of the year, precipitated by snowfall and landslides ensuing from torrential downpours. The ‘Sela Tunnel’ venture, envisaged not only as a bulwark to fortify the nation’s defense readiness but also as a catalyst for propelling the socio-economic development of the region, is the fruit of PM Modi’s foundational endeavors laid forth in February 2019. The project’s fruition, albeit marred by setbacks such as the Covid-19 pandemic, now illuminates India’s concerted push towards bolstering its border infrastructure, aimed at narrowing the chasm with China.