PM to open world’s longest bi-lane road tunnel in Sela pass next month

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to open the world's longest bi-lane road tunnel in Sela pass in Arunachal Pradesh next month. It will be the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world at an altitude above 13,000 feet.

Sources told Defence Watch that Prime Minister will open the the Sela Pass tunnel after its completion next month. The BRO has described this project as one of the most difficult projects executed in the country. However, despite the challenges posed by extremely low temperatures affecting both manpower and machinery, BRO is set to complete it by net month.

The project has a sanctioned cost of Rs 687 crore, including a pre-construction cost of Rs 10 crore and four years maintenance cost of Rs 15.63 crore.

Designed for a traffic density of 3,000 petrol cars per day and 2,000 diesel trucks per day, with a maximum speed of 80 kmph, the Sela Pass tunnel will be constructed using the drill and blast technique as part of the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). 

Once completed, the Sela Pass tunnel will comprise two tunnels and a 9.075 km approach road, making it a strategic connection in Arunachal Pradesh. The tunnel's lining is nearing completion, while electrical and mechanical work inside the tunnel is almost over. 

The tunnels are being provided with a state-of-the-art electromechanical system, including a jet fan-based longitudinal ventilation system, firefighting devices, CIE norms-based illumination system, and SCADA-controlled monitoring systems. 

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