Prime Minister inaugurated the strategically important Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
About Sela Tunnel:
- The Sela Tunnel is located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It is the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel (~1.5 km) to provide all-weather connectivity at an altitude above 13,000 ft.
Significance:
- The tunnel is the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel at an altitude above 13,000 feet.
- It ensures all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Construction:
- The tunnel is being excavated below the Sela Pass on the NH-13 component of the Trans-Arunachal Highway system by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Vartak.
- Construction began on April 1, 2019.
Method:
- Constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which stabilizes the tunnel perimeter with sprayed concrete and other supports, using regular monitoring to control the stability of the tunnel.
Project Details:
- Tunnel 1: A single-tube tunnel, 980 meters long.
- Tunnel 2: A bi-lane tunnel, 1,555 meters long, includes one escape tube for emergencies.
- Roads: The approach to Tunnel 1 is 7,100 meters, the road between the two tunnels is 1,340 meters, and the approach to Tunnel 2 is 340 meters long.
About Sela Pass:
- Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The pass is 4,170 meters above sea level.
- It connects Tawang Valley to the rest of India.
- It is open throughout the year.
- It is managed by the BRO.
Ref:Source
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