Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremoniously opened the Sela Tunnel, hailed as the world's lengthiest twin-lane tunnel, situated in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.
Positioned at an impressive altitude of 13,000 feet, the strategically significant Sela Tunnel is anticipated to facilitate uninterrupted connectivity to Tawang, a region nestled in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh, regardless of weather conditions.
During his address following the tunnel's inauguration, PM Modi underscored the significance of what he termed as "Modi Ki Guarantee," urging people to witness the transformation it brings to Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Northeast region. He reminisced about laying the groundwork for the Sela Tunnel project back in 2019 and expressed his satisfaction at witnessing its fruition.
Although the foundation stone for the project was laid by PM Modi in February 2019, its completion was hampered by delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Sela Tunnel project, completed at an estimated cost of Rs 825 crore, encompasses two tunnels and approximately 8 km of approach roads, with a combined length extending to around 12 km. The primary tunnel spans 980 meters, while the secondary tunnel serves as an emergency escape route, stretching over 1.5 km.
Given its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Sela Tunnel assumes paramount strategic importance by providing year-round access to Tawang and other vital areas bordering China.
In a comprehensive display of development initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled projects worth an impressive Rs 55,600 crore across the Northeast region. This grand unveiling, which took place in Itanagar, encompassed a multitude of projects spanning Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and of course, Arunachal Pradesh. Among these projects, PM Modi officially inaugurated the Sela Tunnel by flagging off an Arunachal Pradesh State Transport bus traversing through its passage. In total, the projects unveiled in Arunachal Pradesh alone amounted to over Rs 41,000 crore, as reported by PTI.
