Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday (March 9). The tunnel project, flagged off in Itanagar is part of several development projects launched by the Modi government for the northeastern states of India.&nbsp;

Along with it, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth about Rs 55,600 crore in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel was laid in 2019 by the Prime Minister himself, with an aim to provide all-weather connectivity to the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawan is situated 448 km northwest of the capital city of Itanagar and is also close to the Chinese&nbsp;border in the northeast.

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Sela tunnel is the world’s longest bi-tunnel, situated at an elevation of 13,000 feet, which consists of two tunnels and a link road.&nbsp;

Here is more on the newly inaugurated Sela tunnel:

<h2>PM Modi inaugurated Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh: Here’s everything you need to know</h2>

<h3>Location and cost</h3>

Constructed at a total expense of ₹825 crore under the auspices of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), this tunnel is located at an elevation of 13,700 feet within the West Kameng district. It lies along the route linking Tezpur to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Sela is also the country's highest tunnel providing all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang region and other forward areas bordering China near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).&nbsp;

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<h3>An engineering marvel</h3>

This project marks the construction of the world's longest twin-lane tunnel at an altitude surpassing 13,000 feet. It consists of Tunnel 1, stretching 980 meters as a single tube tunnel, and Tunnel 2, spanning 1,555 meters as a twin tube tunnel.&nbsp;

The PMO called this project an engineering marvel in its official statement. It will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across the Sela pass on the Balipara -Chariduar- Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. The tunnel was built using the new Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporating safety features of the highest standards.

<h3>Strategic significance</h3>

The tunnel was flagged off during PM Modi’s address on the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Northeast’ (Developed India, Developed Northeast) programme in Itanagar. During the address, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to making Northeast the growth engine of India.

Previously, Arunachal Pradesh's lack of roads and railways posed a disadvantage for India compared to China along the northeastern border. China's infrastructure development, including access roads to the Indian border, provided a strategic advantage.&nbsp;

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However, in recent years, the Union government under PM Modi has enhanced infrastructure connectivity in the northeast, with new airports and railways being constructed in the region. Projects like the Sela Tunnel hold strategic importance in this regard.

The project ensures year-round connectivity to the Tawang region, an area contested by China, which claims it as part of its historical territory. Previously, the Sela Pass remained closed during winter months. However, the project introduces a new route towards the Line of Actual Control (LAC), facilitating the continuous flow of military personnel and equipment movement.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday (March 9). The tunnel project, flagged off in Itanagar is part of several development projects launched by the Modi government for the northeastern states of India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday (March 9). The tunnel project, flagged off in Itanagar is part of several development projects launched by the Modi government for the northeastern states of India. Along with it, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth about Rs 55,600 crore in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel was laid in 2019 by the Prime Minister himself, with an aim to provide all-weather connectivity to the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawan is situated 448 km northwest of the capital city of Itanagar and is also close to the Chinese border in the northeast. Also Read | WATCH | PM Modi visits Kaziranga National Park in Assam, takes elephant safari Sela tunnel is the world’s longest bi-tunnel, situated at an elevation of 13,000 feet, which consists of two tunnels and a link road. Here is more on the newly inaugurated Sela tunnel: PM Modi inaugurated Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh: Here’s everything you need to know Location and cost Constructed at a total expense of ₹825 crore under the auspices of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), this tunnel is located at an elevation of 13,700 feet within the West Kameng district. It lies along the route linking Tezpur to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Sela is also the country's highest tunnel providing all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang region and other forward areas bordering China near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also Read | Expert Voice | E-commerce entrepreneurs inspiring inclusion in smaller cities An engineering marvel This project marks the construction of the world's longest twin-lane tunnel at an altitude surpassing 13,000 feet. It consists of Tunnel 1, stretching 980 meters as a single tube tunnel, and Tunnel 2, spanning 1,555 meters as a twin tube tunnel. The PMO called this project an engineering marvel in its official statement. It will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across the Sela pass on the Balipara -Chariduar- Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. The tunnel was built using the new Austrian Tunnelling Method and incorporating safety features of the highest standards. Strategic significance The tunnel was flagged off during PM Modi’s address on the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Northeast’ (Developed India, Developed Northeast) programme in Itanagar. During the address, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to making Northeast the growth engine of India. Previously, Arunachal Pradesh's lack of roads and railways posed a disadvantage for India compared to China along the northeastern border. China's infrastructure development, including access roads to the Indian border, provided a strategic advantage. Also Read | Rameshwaram cafe reopens in Bengaluru amid tight security measures after blast that injured 10 However, in recent years, the Union government under PM Modi has enhanced infrastructure connectivity in the northeast, with new airports and railways being constructed in the region. Projects like the Sela Tunnel hold strategic importance in this regard. The project ensures year-round connectivity to the Tawang region, an area contested by China, which claims it as part of its historical territory. Previously, the Sela Pass remained closed during winter months. However, the project introduces a new route towards the Line of Actual Control (LAC), facilitating the continuous flow of military personnel and equipment movement. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi inaugurates world's longest bi-lane Sela tunnel in Arunachal | Know its strategic importance

Russia and Chinese business executives held secret talks to discuss plans to build an underwater tunnel connecting Crimea to Russia,&nbsp;the Washington Post reported on Friday (Nov 25). The report based on communications intercepted by Ukraine's security services in October, Russia is hoping to establish a transportation route that would be protected from attacks.&nbsp;

It added that after analysing details of meetings in recent weeks, one of China's largest construction companies has signalled that it is ready to participate.&nbsp;

Crimea is a peninsula which was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a referendum that Ukraine and the West never recognised. The report noted that the discussions highlight Russia's aim to maintain its grip on Crimea.&nbsp;

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WaPo report mentioned that US officials said that constructing a tunnel near the existing bridge would face enormous obstacles. And the engineering experts, have knowledge about work of this nature, said that such project which will cost billions of dollars and take years to finish.&nbsp;

The experts told the media outlet that Russia has clear reasons for pursuing it amid the ongoing war. As quoted, Alexander Gabuev, who is an expert on Moscow-Beijing relations at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that Russia "faces [the] risk that Ukraine will try to disrupt the Kerch bridge for many years to come".&nbsp;

One of the emails dated Oct 4 describes the Chinese Railway Construction Corporation as "ready to ensure the construction of railway and road construction projects of any complexity in the Crimean region".&nbsp;

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<h2>Ukrainian sabotage of Crimea bridge 'overturns' naval operations&nbsp;</h2>

The head of Ukraine's main intelligence agency said in a video broadcast on Friday that a Ukrainian sea drone attack on Russia's Crimean bridge in July had "overturned" naval operations and forced Moscow to resort to ferries to move weaponry.&nbsp;

Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said the second of two major attacks in August had seriously disrupted operations on the 19-km bridge, Europe's longest, and dented the notion of Russian invincibility.&nbsp;

"We have practically overturned the philosophy of naval operations," Maliuk said in the first of a series of televised documentaries entitled "SBU, the Special Operations of Victory."

"We have destroyed the myth of Russian invincibility. The country is a fake. The bridge is doomed. Plenty of surprises lie ahead and not just the Crimean bridge."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos 
&nbsp;

Russia and Chinese business executives held secret talks to discuss plans to build an underwater tunnel connecting Crimea to Russia, the Washington Post reported on Friday (Nov 25).

Russia and Chinese business executives held secret talks to discuss plans to build an underwater tunnel connecting Crimea to Russia, the Washington Post reported on Friday (Nov 25). The report based on communications intercepted by Ukraine's security services in October, Russia is hoping to establish a transportation route that would be protected from attacks. It added that after analysing details of meetings in recent weeks, one of China's largest construction companies has signalled that it is ready to participate. Crimea is a peninsula which was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a referendum that Ukraine and the West never recognised. The report noted that the discussions highlight Russia's aim to maintain its grip on Crimea. Also read: What next: US Federal Reserve on the cusp of policy change WaPo report mentioned that US officials said that constructing a tunnel near the existing bridge would face enormous obstacles. And the engineering experts, have knowledge about work of this nature, said that such project which will cost billions of dollars and take years to finish. The experts told the media outlet that Russia has clear reasons for pursuing it amid the ongoing war. As quoted, Alexander Gabuev, who is an expert on Moscow-Beijing relations at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that Russia "faces [the] risk that Ukraine will try to disrupt the Kerch bridge for many years to come". One of the emails dated Oct 4 describes the Chinese Railway Construction Corporation as "ready to ensure the construction of railway and road construction projects of any complexity in the Crimean region". Also read: Exclusive: Seychelles Foreign Minister Radegonde says India has championed Global South causes Ukrainian sabotage of Crimea bridge 'overturns' naval operations The head of Ukraine's main intelligence agency said in a video broadcast on Friday that a Ukrainian sea drone attack on Russia's Crimean bridge in July had "overturned" naval operations and forced Moscow to resort to ferries to move weaponry. Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said the second of two major attacks in August had seriously disrupted operations on the 19-km bridge, Europe's longest, and dented the notion of Russian invincibility. "We have practically overturned the philosophy of naval operations," Maliuk said in the first of a series of televised documentaries entitled "SBU, the Special Operations of Victory." "We have destroyed the myth of Russian invincibility. The country is a fake. The bridge is doomed. Plenty of surprises lie ahead and not just the Crimean bridge." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

Moscow discussed Russia-Crimea tunnel project with Chinese construction companies

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