Itanagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Arunachal Pradesh on March 9 for a day-long visit, during which he will inaugurate several development projects, including the Sela Tunnel.
The tunnel, located near Sela Pass at an elevation of 13,000 feet, will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang, a town bordering China.
Modi will dedicate the tunnel to the nation at a function in Baisakhi, West Kameng district, and will also lay the foundation stone for approximately 20 other development projects before heading to Assam, according to news agency PTI.
The Sela Tunnel is strategically important due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It is expected to enhance the Indian army’s capabilities at the LAC by enabling the speedy deployment of troops, weapons, and machinery to the forward areas along the Sino-India border.
The tunnel was deemed necessary as the Balipara-Charidwar-Tawang Road remains closed for long periods due to snowfall and landslides caused by heavy rainfall.
The project, with an estimated cost of ₹697 crore, comprises two tunnels. The first is a single-tube tunnel of 980 meters in length, while the second one is 1.5 km long and includes an escape tube for emergencies.
Although the foundation of the project was laid by PM Modi in February 2019, its progress was delayed due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The region holds historical significance, as in 1962, Chinese troops clashed with Indian forces in the area, leading to the overrun of Tawang town on October 24 that year. (With inputs from PTI)
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