Sela Tunnel: Background,Construction Cost, and Benefits

March 11, 2024

GS Paper I Geography

Context

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister virtually dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel project during the Viksit Bharat Viksit North East programme in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

Background of Sela Tunnel

Beginning: The foundation stone of the tunnel was laid by the Prime Minister on February 09, 2019, and the construction commenced on April 01, 2019.
Completion: The tunnel has been completed in just five years overcoming challenges of difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
- In the last three years, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed a record 330 infrastructure projects constructed at the cost of Rs 8,737 crore.

About Sela Tunnel

Sela Tunnel

Construction: The tunnel has been constructed at a total cost of Rs 825 crore.
Connectivity: The tunnel has been constructed at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam to Tawang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Technology Used: The Sela Tunnel has been constructed using the new Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporates safety features of the highest standards.
Benefits: It will provide a faster and more efficient transport route, which is strategically important too for India.
- All-Weather Connectivity: The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara – Chariduar – Tawang Road (i.e., the Northeast region).
- Preparedness: Boosting the preparedness of the Armed Forces.
- Socio-Economic Development: Augmenting the socio-economic development of the border region.
- For Traveling: Improve the ease of travel for the people of Tawang.

About New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)

Also Known as: The Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) or Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) Method.
A Modern Method: It is a method of modern tunnel design and construction.
Work Upon: It employs sophisticated monitoring to optimize various wall reinforcement techniques based on the type of rock encountered as tunneling progresses.
Significance: It has an economic advantage of employing inherent geological strength available in the surrounding rock mass to stabilize the tunnel wherever possible rather than reinforcing the entire tunnel.

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

Formation: In 1960, by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and northeast states of the country.
Under Aegis Of: It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
- BRO was entirely brought under the Ministry of Defence in 2015.
Motto: Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable through hard work).

Also Read: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel

News Source: PIB

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