In Arunachal Pradesh, which was recently in the news following a conflict between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of the northeastern state, infrastructure development, ranging from road construction to greenfield airport, took centre stage in 2022. Throughout the year, the country "accelerated" the process of constructing suitable infrastructure, particularly border connection in the state, the centrepiece of which is the Arunachal Frontier Highway, one of the country's "largest and most difficult" projects.

The frontier highway, a "strategic project," was slated to open in 2022. Work on the project has already begun in some places, with heavy equipment being deployed to expedite the entire process.

The 2,000-kilometer road project, which has previously been opposed by China, will begin in Mago near Bhutan and will continue via Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Tuting, Mechuka, Upper Siang, Debang Valley, Desali, Chaglagam, Kibithu, and Dong before concluding in Vijayanagar near the Myanmar border.

The project is expected to cost at least Rs 400 billion. According to a state transportation department official, there is a proposal to create corridors connecting the highway.

Arunachal Pradesh made aviation history in 2022 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 645 crore Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, the state capital's first such airport, to promote connectivity, trade, and tourism in the rugged state.

Another significant development witnessed by the state is the Sela tunnel, which is being built at a height of 13,700 feet by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and is slated to be completed by July 2023, with work already underway. Two tunnels of 475 m and 1790 m length are being built through the Sela-Chabrela range that separates West Kameng from Tawang district to reach the existing Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road on the Nuranang side, cutting the distance by roughly 8-9 km and travel time by at least an hour. Once completed, the Sela tunnel will be the world's longest bi-lane tunnel.

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