In news- The last blast of the escape tube of under-construction Sela Tunnel was conducted by Director General Border Roads (DGBR) through video conferencing recently.
About the tunnel-
- The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Sela Tunnel on February 09, 2019 to provide all weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh through the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road.
- The construction of the tunnel started on April 01, 2019 with the first blast taking place on October 31, 2019.
- On completion, it will be the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world at an altitude above 13,000 feet on NH 13 component of Trans-Arunachal Highway system.
- The project provides for two tunnels of 1,790 m and 475 m lengths and an escape tube of 980 m.
- This unique tunnel constructed using the latest New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), is much below the snow line allowing all weather travel without the challenges of snow clearance.
- It will reduce travel time and ensure speedier movement across the Sela Pass.
- In case of natural calamities and adverse weather, it can prove to be a vital link for evacuation of personnel.
- It has a target completion date of Feb 2022.
- It is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Vartak.
Source: PIB
