SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant has supplied more that 7,300 tonnes of steel for use in construction of the strategic Sela Tunnel Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Constructed at an altitude of 13,700 feet in West Kameng district on the road connecting Tezpur to Tawang, the tunnel project, consisting of two tunnels and a link road, is aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang region. The project will not only provide a faster and more efficient transport route in the region, but is of strategic importance to the country. Executed by the Border Road Organisation (BRO), the tunnel will cut down the travel time to Tawang by at least one hour. As of now, Sela Pass stays closed for a few winter months.

 

The project will provide a new alignment on the axis towards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with easier movement for military personnel and equipment throughout the year. While other integrated steel plants of SAIL have also supplied steel for the project, BSP has supplied 6545 Tonnes of TMT Bars, 512 Tonnes of TMT Bars in Coils, 88 tonnes of Wire Rods, 46 Tonnes of angles and channels, 94 Tonnes of Plates and 22 tonnes of Joists - all in the specified grades for use in construction of the Sela Tunnel Project.

 

The total volume of steel supplied by SAIL is 24,216 Tonnes. Durgapur Steel Plant and IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur, the other two Plants of SAIL that produce TMT Bars and rods have also supplied 8937 Tonnes and 3118 T of TMT Bars, respectively. DSP has also supplied 3662 Tonnes of Joists for the tunnel project. Bokaro Steel Plant and Rourkela Steel Plant, both units of SAIL that primarily produce flat products have also supplied steel for the Sela Tunnel Project. BSL supplied 55 tonnes of GC Sheets, 145 tonnes of HR Sheets and 146 Tonnes of HSM Plates. RSP has supplied 51 tonnes of HSM plates and 522 tonnes of plates from its Plate Mill.