World’s Longest Twin-Lane Tunnel In Arunachal Pradesh, To Be Ready by September End

[NG Missile Vessels]

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is on track to complete the Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, which is set to become the world's longest twin-lane tunnel situated above an altitude of 13,000 feet.

This tunnel is expected to facilitate faster deployment of troops and weaponry to forward areas in the Tawang region.

Officials familiar with the project have stated that it is scheduled for completion by the end of September, a report in the Hindustan Times says.

This development comes at a time when India has been intensifying its efforts to bolster infrastructure near the border with China.

The foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 700 crore Sela tunnel, located on the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road, was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in February 2019.

Another vital project aimed at enhancing connectivity in remote regions is the Nechiphu tunnel in the northeastern state.

According to one of the officials, this 500-meter tunnel, situated at an elevation of 5,700 feet on the BCT road in West Kameng, is set to be inaugurated next week, the Hindustan Times report said.

The timing of this development is noteworthy, as China has recently revealed a new map in which it asserts territorial claims over areas in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

This action has prompted a strong condemnation from India.

Additionally, the map in question has garnered criticism from China's Southeast Asian neighbours, who have expressed disapproval due to its depiction of nearly the entire South China Sea as Chinese territory.

However, the completion of the Sela tunnel project faced delays due to various challenges. Adverse weather conditions, including cloudbursts and landslides, damaged one of the approach roads during the rainy season.

Nonetheless, the project is now on the brink of completion and is expected to be ready in approximately four weeks.

The defense ministry is planning to request time from Prime Minister Modi for the inauguration of the Sela tunnel.

This project holds immense significance as it addresses the long-standing logistical challenge posed by the 14,000-foot-high Sela pass during winter.

For decades, the movement of personnel, weaponry, and supplies to Tawang was severely affected for three to four months each year due to the harsh winter conditions.

The new tunnel is expected to significantly reduce travel time to Tawang, saving at least one hour and providing all-weather connectivity.

Originally slated for completion and opening last year, the project experienced delays due to extended winters, which slowed down construction progress. Technical challenges, such as delays in concrete setting inside the tunnel, also contributed to the project's postponement, according to officials.

The project encompasses two tunnels, with Tunnel 1 measuring 980 meters in length and Tunnel 2 consisting of a twin tube tunnel spanning 1,555 meters. Both tunnels have been constructed through two ridges west of Sela.

Additionally, the project includes two roads, one spanning 7 kilometers and the other 1.3 kilometers. Tunnel 2 is equipped with one bi-lane tube for regular traffic and one escape tube for emergencies, in compliance with safety regulations that mandate escape passages for tunnels longer than 1,500 meters.

India Bolsters Military Advantage With Two Key Arunachal Tunnels Set To Open This Month, While China Draws New Maps

www.google.com

World’s Longest Twin-Lane Tunnel In Arunachal Pradesh, To be Ready by September End

The foundation stone of the project on the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019. The defence ministry plans to request a date from Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate the tunnel, India News, Times Now

www.timesnownews.com

 

[GreatHanWarrior]

China TBM!

 

[Skimming]

Lost the count of tunnels India has built / is building in border areas.

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

TAWANG, 15 Sep: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed the excavation of the 105-metre-long Sela Chabrela tunnel near Sela Pass in Tawang district, at an altitude of 13,900 feet, under its Project Vartak, on Wednesday.

BRO Director General Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry initiated the last blast remotely via videoconference, while Project Vartak Chief Engineer Brigadier Raman Kumar SV was personally present in Chabrella.

The tunnel, which is nearing completion, had already been inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 12 September.

“Keeping in mind the vision of the DGBR and the capability building of the organisation, the 42 BRTF, under Project Vartak, conceived a 105-metre-long and 9.5 metre wide departmental tunnel as a pilot project. A suitable location was identified between km 7.500 and km 8.400 on the Sela-Chebrela-Bangajang Gompa road for the construction of the tunnel,” the BRO informed in a release.

This tunnel is a pilot project which will aid BRO personnel in gaining firsthand experience of tunnel construction. “It will enable the organisation to supervise other tunnels more effectively while being a harbinger for many more such tunnels to come up departmentally in the future,” the release added.

BRO completes excavation of Sela tunnel | The Arunachal Times

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

Nearly 96% of Sela Tunnel complete, opening expected by year-end: BRO officials

Nearly 96 per cent work of the strategically crucial Sela Tunnel, which will enable "all-weather" connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, is complete and it is likely to be inaugurated by the year-end, BRO officials said on September 30.

Final touches are being provided to the tunnel, along with installation of safety measures inside it, they added.

The Sela Tunnel has been excavated below the 4,200-metre (13,800 ft) Sela Pass, which is often closed due to snowfall and landslides.

The tunnel will provide access to Tawang and other forward areas bordering China throughout the year, enhancing the strategic and operational capabilities of the Indian Army, the officials said.

"Almost 96 per cent work of the tunnel is complete. Only some work in the escape tunnel and pavement are pending, and those are also nearing completion," a senior Border Roads Organisation official, who did not wish to be identified, told PTI.

The official also said that safety measures are being installed inside the tunnel in the final phase.

Passage through the tunnel is already open for vehicles involved in the construction, though no other movement is allowed at the moment, he said.

Kuldeep Singh, an on-site engineer of the company executing the work under the supervision of the BRO, said it is likely to be inaugurated by the end of 2023.

"The weather is a major issue here. There is heavy rain and even snowfall… If the weather does not impede, we hope to be able to open it for the public by end of this year," he said.

The total length of the project, including the tunnels, the approach and the link roads, will be around 12 km.

Nearly 96% of Sela Tunnel complete, opening expected by year-end: BRO officials

Final touches are being provided to the tunnel, along with installation of safety measures inside it, they added.

www.moneycontrol.com

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

 

[etylo]

Are they using Chinese TBM to dig the tunnel ? China should ban exporting such machines to India.