The eagerly anticipated Sela Tunnel, situated in the Tawang district, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 9 as announced by Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Tuesday.
The monumental project encompasses the construction of two tunnels and an 8.780 km approach road. Once completed, the tunnel, traversing through the Sela-Charbela ridge, will claim the title of the world’s longest bilane tunnel, situated at an elevation of 13,000 feet. Mein revealed this significant development while speaking at a function held in Yachuli, Neyi Panyor district.
This two-lane tunnel, overseen by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), stands as a pioneering engineering feat, given its location at an altitude exceeding 13,000 feet. It promises to furnish Tawang with dependable all-weather connectivity, forging a closer bond between the region and the mainland and also a game-changer in India’s border infrastructure development.
Constructed beneath the Sela Pass, the tunnel will be linked to the NH 13 highway by a newly established 12.4 km road, effectively trimming the distance between Dirang and Tawang by 10 km. The project, targeted for completion by February 2022, encompasses two tunnels, measuring 1,790 m and 475 m in length, alongside an escape tube spanning 980 m.
In September 2021, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commemorated the Sela Tunnel’s completion, extolling it as a significant milestone for the BRO and its unwavering dedication to connecting even the most remote corners of the nation. The tunnel’s inauguration is poised to substantially enhance the socio-economic landscape of the region by enhancing transportation facilities and fostering growth.
