Itanagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, via video conference during his visit to Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on Saturday.
The foundation stone for the tunnel was laid by the Prime Minister on February 9, 2019, and construction started on April 1 of the same year. Despite facing challenges posed by difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed the tunnel project in just five years.
The twin-lane Sela tunnel is situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The total construction cost of the Sela Tunnel comes up to Rs 825 crore. It is expected to provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across the Sela Pass on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road.
The completion of the tunnel is anticipated to enhance the preparedness of the armed forces and bolster socio-economic development in the India-China border region. The area, known for its fragile ecological conditions, frequently experiences snowfall and landslides, posing challenges for the army in providing security to local residents. However, with the construction of the tunnel, the army’s accessibility to the area will improve, ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity to Tawang throughout the year.
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