Prime Minister Inaugurates Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 09-03-2024

Prime Minister Inaugurates Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh

Place in News 4 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, which is strategically important for enhancing all-weather connectivity and facilitating quick military deployments to Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang and Kameng regions along the China frontier.

The foundation stone for the tunnel was laid by PM Modi in February 2019. It has recently become operational. This development has occurred during a time when there are tensions along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China.
The Sela Tunnel is one of India's most challenging infrastructure projects, according to the Border Roads Organisation.
Previously, the route to Sela pass had single-lane connectivity with dangerous turns, which made it difficult for heavy vehicles to reach the crucial Tawang area, contested by China as 'South Tibet'.

Key facts about Sela tunnel

The Sela tunnel is an engineering feat that connects Tawang with the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang road in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Border Roads Organization has built the world's longest bi-lane tunnel at an altitude of over 13,000 feet at a cost of Rs 825 crore.
The tunnel has two tubes, T1 and T2, with lengths of 1,595 meters and 1,003 meters, respectively. It also features 8.6 kilometers of approach and link roads. T2 is the longer tube, which is 1,594.90 meters long, and there is a narrower, parallel tunnel measuring 1,584.38 meters in length, built to facilitate escape in case of a cave-in.
The tunnels have ventilation systems, robust lighting, and firefighting mechanisms, ensuring user safety. They are capable of accommodating 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks daily. The tunnel's clearance is high enough to accommodate all military vehicles.
The Sela tunnel will reduce the distance between Tawang and Dirang in Arunachal's West Kameng district by 12km, resulting in a nearly 90-minute time saving for commuters in both directions. This development will address the logistical challenges faced by both military and civilian traffic due to the frequent blockages at the Sela pass during winters.
The tunnel will help enhance the defence readiness of the Indian armed forces by facilitating quicker and more efficient troop movement, mitigating the military vulnerability posed by the Sela pass. Additionally, it will contribute to the socio-economic advancement of this border region.
The new Austrian tunneling method was employed in building the Sela tunnel, integrating top-notch safety features.