The Sela Pass Tunnel

26 Sep 2024 CW Team

The world’s longest bi-lane tunnel project, Sela Pass, was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Vartak at an altitude over 13,000 ft above sea level and at a cost of Rs.8.25 billion to enhance all-weather connectivity and facilitate rapid military deployment to Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang and Kameng regions along the China frontier. With considerable experience and a stellar track record in managing complex large-scale projects, Patel Engineering was chosen to execute the project. Weather conditions in the region are so harsh that temperatures plummet to as low as -20°C, causing diesel to freeze, and heavy snowfall and landslides on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road posed challenges. The enormity of the task can be judged by the fact that it required over 9 million man-hours with an average of 650 workers contributing daily for five years. Also, 71,000 metric tonne of cement, 5,000 metric tonne of steel and 800 metric tonne of explosives were used for construction.

The significance of Sela

“The project is distinguished by several unique features,” says Kavita Shirvaikar, Managing Director, Patel Engineering, about its USP adding, “It ensures all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, providing a vital passage even during harsh winter conditions, avoiding the challenges of snow clearance and facilitating year-round. Strategically located near the Sino-India border, the tunnel enables swift movement of troops, weapons and machinery, thereby enhancing connectivity and security in the region, which is crucial for defence logistics.”

To read the full story Click Here

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Recycling Leaders Push for Policy Reforms in India

As India prepares for the largest recycling-focused event in its history, industry leaders are making a strong case for policy reforms to unlock the country’s circular economy potential. Ahead of the Bharat Recycling Show (BRS) 2025, co-located with Plastics Recycling Show (PRS) India, a high-level panel discussion in Mumbai spotlighted the urgent need for regulatory clarity, digital innovation, and integration of the informal sector.Held under the theme “Unlocking Circular Value: Regulatory and Market Trends in Recycling”, the panel brought together prominent voices from across the recy..

Environmental Hearing Set for 1000 MW Naying Hydro Project

The environmental public hearing for the 1,000 MW Naying hydroelectric project will take place on November 12 at Yapik community hall in Shi-Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh, officials confirmed. The run-of-the-river project on the Siyom (Yomgo) river is being developed by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO). Construction, including a concrete dam, underground powerhouse, and tunnel, is expected to commence around 2028, with commissioning planned by 2032. The project aims to generate approximately 4,966.77 GWh of electricity. The Naying project received Central Electricity ..

India Achieves 490 MWh Energy Storage Capacity by June 2025

India’s cumulative energy storage capacity reached 490 MWh by June 2025, according to data released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Of this, more than 85 per cent is associated with renewable energy projects, primarily solar and wind, reflecting the country’s accelerated shift towards grid stability and clean energy integration. The CEA report highlights that 16 energy storage systems are currently operational across 10 states, with major installations in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These include both standalone and co-located battery systems deployed by le..