Itanagar, Mar 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Sela Tunnel project today during the Viksit Bharat Viksit North East program in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the tunnel spans the road connecting Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The tunnel’s strategic significance extends beyond its geographical feat. It bolsters the Indian military’s capabilities in countering the threat posed by China’s Western Theatre Command along India’s eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control.
Moreover, it significantly truncates travel time from the Indian Army’s IV Corps headquarters in Tezpur to Tawang by a minimum of 10 kilometres or one hour.
Additionally, it ensures the NH 13 route serves as an all-weather conduit to Tawang, a region prone to disconnection during harsh winter conditions and strategically important for defence forces.
This vital infrastructure guarantees year-round accessibility along the 171-kilometre stretch between Bomdila and Tawang, irrespective of weather conditions.
The Prime Minister in his speech said that the construction of the Sela Tunnel could have been undertaken earlier, but the priorities of the Congress were different. Their focus was elsewhere, as they believed that with only 1-2 seats in Parliament, investing significant resources was not warranted. Prime Minister Modi, however, does not govern by tallying parliamentary seats; his approach is rooted in serving the nation’s needs.
With a resolute government at the helm and a commitment to national interests, Prime Minister Modi encourages the youth to witness the marvel of the Sela Tunnel, situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Despite being unable to visit due to weather constraints, he pledges to meet the people of Sela in his next term. The tunnel not only ensures all-weather connectivity for Tawang but also simplifies transportation for locals, fostering tourism and economic growth in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Sela Tunnel, located at an altitude of 13,000 feet, stands as the world’s longest tunnel. However, preceding this monumental achievement is the Nechiphu road tunnel, marking not only Arunachal Pradesh’s first road tunnel but also the inaugural road tunnel in the entire northeastern region of India.
With a total expenditure of Rs 825 crore, the tunnel promises all-weather connectivity to Tawang via Sela Pass on the Balipara – Chariduar – Tawang Road, bolstering the Armed Forces’ readiness and fostering socio-economic growth in the border region.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju graced the inauguration ceremony alongside other dignitaries. Employing the advanced Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporating top-tier safety features, the Sela Tunnel holds strategic importance for the nation, promising expedited and secure transport routes in the region.
The tunnel’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Modi on February 9, 2019, with construction commencing on April 1, 2019. Despite formidable terrain and adverse weather conditions, completion within five years underscores the BRO’s commitment to border area development.
Over the past three years, the BRO has achieved a milestone with 330 infrastructure projects, totalling Rs 8737 crore, furthering its mission at the forefront of border region development.