PM inaugurates Sela tunnel, dedicates projects worth ₹55,000 Crore to six northeast states
- In Reports
- 04:53 PM, Mar 09, 2024
- Myind Staff
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple projects across six northeastern states, with a combined value of nearly Rs. 55,000 crore. The event took place in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital, Itanagar.
One of the projects inaugurated is the strategically significant Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs.825 crore. It holds the distinction of being the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel built at an altitude of over 13,000 feet.
The Prime Minister officially opened the Sela Tunnel by initiating the passage of an Arunachal Pradesh State Transport bus through it.
Modi criticised the delay in constructing the Sela Tunnel, attributing it to the priorities of the previous Congress government. He highlighted their focus on other areas over the needs of Arunachal Pradesh, which only holds two parliamentary seats. Modi emphasised his approach, stating that he prioritises national requirements over parliamentary representation.
The completion of the Sela Tunnel project is expected to enhance the transportation of soldiers, equipment, and heavy vehicles to forward areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector. The project comprises Tunnel 1, which spans 1,003 metres in length, and Tunnel 2, a twin-tube tunnel stretching 1,595 metres.
A notable highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Barauni-Guwahati Pipeline. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the significance of the ₹3992 crore pipeline, stating that it marks a historic achievement in enhancing India’s energy security by connecting the Northeast to the National Gas Grid.
Earlier Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kaziranga National Park during his two-day visit to the Indian state of Assam ahead of the upcoming general elections. He became the first PM to visit the World Heritage Site since 1957.
During his visit to Kaziranga National Park, located in the northeastern state of Assam, India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an elephant ride and interacted with the team of women forest guards known as Van Durga, who are leading conservation efforts.
Additionally, the PM fed sugarcane to elephants Lakhimai, Phoolmai, and Pradyumna. Kaziranga National Park, celebrated globally for its significant population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans approximately 430 square kilometres across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River.
The visit was packed with a flurry of inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremonies. Prime Minister Modi arrived via a special aircraft, and his itinerary included unveiling projects amounting to Rs 18,000 crore ($2.1 billion), highlighting the joint efforts of Assam and the central government in bolstering the state's infrastructure.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi, expressing excitement under the hashtag #ModiParivarAssam. Modi's agenda encompassed diverse sectors, with a focus on energy security and rail connectivity.
Image source: Business Lin
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