In News: The strategically-significant Sela Tunnel project in Arunachal Pradesh is nearing completion.
Located in
West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh
Will provide an alternate axis to the Sela pass (at 13,700 feet)
On the BCT Road – the Balipara, Charduar and Tawang axis (more than 300 km long)
Being executed by: Border Roads Organisation
Includes two tunnels and a link road; Tunnel 2 will be one of the longest tunnels to have been constructed above an altitude of over 13,000 feet.
The total length of the project, including the tunnels, the approach and the link roads, will be around 12 km.
Why does the project matter?
All-weather connectivity to Tawang and other forward areas in the sector
Will provide a new alignment on the axis towards the LAC, and allow movement of military and civil vehicles all through the year (Sela pass stays closed for a few winter months).
Reduction in more than one hour of travel time from Tezpur to Tawang and travellers avoiding dangerous snow covered Sela top at a height of 13,700 feet.
All weather connectivity to Tawang would be a game-changer for the local population ahead of Sela apart from the much-required strategic edge for our security forces.
