Sela tunnel construction to be completed by end of this year

17 May 2022 CW Team

This project worth Rs 700 crore was expected to be completed by June 2022.

According to an official, the project has been slightly delayed due to an extended winter season. The area witnessed heavy snow till April, and the project should be over by October-November this year.

The government announced the Sela tunnel project in 2018. It will be the longest twin-lane tunnel in the world above 13,000 feet and will cut down travel time to Tawang by at least one hour and provide all-weather connectivity. In 2019, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the project.

The project includes Tunnel 1 of 980 m and Tunnel 2 of 1,555 m twin-tube tunnel. These tunnels are coming up through two ridges west of Sela. It also consists of two roads of 7 km and 1.3 km.

Tunnel 2 has one bi-lane tube to release traffic and one escape tube for emergencies. Only tunnels longer than 1,500 m must have an escape passage alongside.

Winter connectivity to the Tawang region over the 14,000 ft pass, Sela, posed a logistics challenge for the army, including the movement of troops, weapons and stores, which was severely affected for three to four months.

Military affairs expert Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan (retd) said that after completing the tunnel, the road would remain open year-round. It will allow faster movement of military deployment for the reserves, and the population will no longer get cut off from the mainland.

Over 50 engineers and 500 workers helped in constructing the tunnel using the latest Austrian tunnelling techniques, including observing and studying the rock and designing tunnel support as per the rock behaviour.

Around 4,000 army and civilian vehicles will use the tunnel daily. The tunnel dimensions will support the movement of all types of army vehicles and military hardware, including the Bofors guns that currently have to be moved to forward areas by Scania trucks.

Image Source

Also read: Sela tunnel project enters decisive phase: Defense Ministry

The Sela tunnel construction project in Arunachal Pradesh to allow faster deployment of weapons and army to forward areas in the Tawang sector has been delayed due to a prolonged winter that slowed down construction activity and will now be complete by the end of this year. This project worth Rs 700 crore was expected to be completed by June 2022. According to an official, the project has been slightly delayed due to an extended winter season. The area witnessed heavy snow till April, and the project should be over by October-November this year. The government announced the Sela tunnel project in 2018. It will be the longest twin-lane tunnel in the world above 13,000 feet and will cut down travel time to Tawang by at least one hour and provide all-weather connectivity. In 2019, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the project. The project includes Tunnel 1 of 980 m and Tunnel 2 of 1,555 m twin-tube tunnel. These tunnels are coming up through two ridges west of Sela. It also consists of two roads of 7 km and 1.3 km. Tunnel 2 has one bi-lane tube to release traffic and one escape tube for emergencies. Only tunnels longer than 1,500 m must have an escape passage alongside. Winter connectivity to the Tawang region over the 14,000 ft pass, Sela, posed a logistics challenge for the army, including the movement of troops, weapons and stores, which was severely affected for three to four months. Military affairs expert Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan (retd) said that after completing the tunnel, the road would remain open year-round. It will allow faster movement of military deployment for the reserves, and the population will no longer get cut off from the mainland. Over 50 engineers and 500 workers helped in constructing the tunnel using the latest Austrian tunnelling techniques, including observing and studying the rock and designing tunnel support as per the rock behaviour. Around 4,000 army and civilian vehicles will use the tunnel daily. The tunnel dimensions will support the movement of all types of army vehicles and military hardware, including the Bofors guns that currently have to be moved to forward areas by Scania trucks. Image Source Also read: Sela tunnel project enters decisive phase: Defense Ministry

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..