Sela Tunnel Project: Army to get all-weather access to China border region by August 2022

TAWANG: India has taken a number of steps to ramp up infrastructure along its border with China in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang and Western Kameng regions. In order to strengthen all-weather connectivity and fast military deployment in the regions Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working to complete the Rs 700 crore Sela Tunnel Project before the August deadline next year.

The project, the foundation stone for which was laid in 2019, covers a total distance of 12.04 kms which consist of two tunnels of 1790 and 475 meters. ​ Once completed, the project will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas. ​It will also reduce travel time from Tezpur to Tawang by an hour. ​Travellers would be able to avoid the dangerous snow-covered Sela top at a height of 13,700 feet.​

The Sela Tunnel Project will be the longest bi-lane tunnel project in the world located at an altitude of 13,000 upon completion. The longest tunnel has two tubes, the main one and an escape one for use during emergencies.

The project is of strategic importance to Indian forces as it will cut the distance to the China border through Tawang by 10 km. Also, the existing 317-km Bilapara-Chardur-Tawang road passes through the Sela Pass at an altitude of 13,800-feet which is visible to the Chinese from the Line of Actual Control which is disadvantageous to Indian forces. The new tunnel will pass under the Sela Pass.