PM Modi Inaugurates Sela Tunnel Project, Launches Northeast Development Initiatives

During the Viksit Bharat Viksit Northeast Programme held on Saturday, 9 March in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated the Sela Tunnel Project to the nation.

Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road from Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, the Sela Tunnel is a significant infrastructure project worth Rs 825 crore.

The tunnel, built using the innovative Austrian Tunneling Method, is intended to provide all-weather connectivity, enhancing the Armed Forces’ preparedness and serving as a strategic asset for the country. It contributes to the socioeconomic growth of Tawang and the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road border region.

Prime Minister Modi virtually launched 123 significant developmental projects in Itanagar and laid the groundwork for 95 additional projects worth Rs 55,600 crore in six northeastern states, including Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.

The Sela Tunnel, located on the road connecting Assam’s Tezpur to Tawang, is strategically crucial due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It has been designed to handle 3,000 automobiles and 2,000 lorries daily at a maximum speed of 80 kmph.

Once operational, the tunnel will facilitate the transportation of troops and supplies, strengthen defence capabilities, and usher in a new era of economic prosperity for Tawang. It will also improve patient evacuation, particularly during harsh winter conditions.

In a statement, PM Modi reaffirmed the government's commitment to making the Northeast the growth engine of India and emphasised the importance of infrastructure development in border areas. He also pledged to meet with defence troops at the Sela Tunnel during his future term.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju.

Construction of the Sela Tunnel began on 1 April 2019, after Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone on 9 February 2019. Despite challenges such as tough terrain and adverse weather conditions, the tunnel was completed in under five years, showcasing remarkable engineering prowess and dedication.