PM Modi inaugurates world's Longest twin-lane tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh :::: In Kaziranga, Assam, Modi fed sugarcane to elephants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Sela Tunnel, world's longest twin-lane tunnel, in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Namo at Kaziranga 

He flagged off an Arunachal Pradesh State Transport bus that went through it. 

Costing Rs 825 crore, the project includes two tunnels and over 8 km of roads. It is at 13,000 feet altitude and will enhance access to border regions near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).  

"You must have heard of 'Modi Ki Guarantee'. You will understand its significance once you visit Arunachal. The entire Northeast bears witness to this. I laid the foundation of the Sela Tunnel here in 2019, and today it has been inaugurated." 

The tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project in February 2019, but its completion was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, the project consists of two tunnels and over 8 km of approach roads, with a total length of approximately 12 km. The first tunnel is a single-tube tunnel spanning 980 metres, while the second serves as an emergency escape route, measuring 1.5 km in length.

Situated near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Sela Tunnel is strategically crucial, providing year-round access to Tawang and other forward areas bordering China.

The Prime Minister on Saturday, March 8, also unveiled projects worth Rs 55,600 crore in the Northeast. The PM unveiled the projects spread across Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh at a programme in Itanagar. 

In all, development projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crore were unveiled in Arunachal Pradesh. The state will also go assembly polls along with Lok Sabha elections to two parliamentary seats. 

During his two-day trip to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the Prime Minister also visited Kaziranga National Park.

He fed "sugarcane" to three elephants Lakhimai, Pradyumna and Phoolmai. 

"Kaziranga is known for the rhinos but there are also large number of elephants there, along with several other species," Modi tweeted. 

He also interacted with 'Van Durga', the team of women forest guards who are at the forefront of conservation efforts, "bravely protecting our forests and wildlife". 

Their dedication and courage in safeguarding our natural heritage is truly inspiring, the Prime Minister wrote.