PM Modi to Inaugurate Sela Tunnel for All-Weather Connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh

Defense News ,India :-  In an effort to bolster connectivity and development in Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a day-long visit to the region on March 9. The focal point of his visit will be the inauguration of the strategically significant Sela Tunnel, designed to provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang, a region bordering China.

Scheduled to dedicate the tunnel to the nation at a ceremony in Baisakhi, West Kameng district, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for approximately 20 additional development projects before proceeding to neighboring Assam, according to an official announcement on Wednesday.

Nestled at an elevation of 13,000 feet, the Sela Tunnel holds paramount importance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It addresses the challenges posed by the closure of the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road during extended periods of the year, attributed to snowfall and landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

The tunnel is expected to significantly enhance the Indian army's capabilities along the Sino-India border by facilitating swift deployment of troops, weapons, and machinery to forward areas. The project, initially laid out by PM Modi in February 2019 with an estimated cost of ₹697 crore, faced delays due to various reasons, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comprising two tunnels, the project features a single-tube tunnel spanning 980 meters in length, along with a second 1.5 km long tunnel equipped with an emergency escape route. This infrastructural development holds historical relevance, as it seeks to address challenges arising from the 1962 clash between Chinese troops and Indian forces in the region, with the town of Tawang being overrun on October 24 of that year.