Context

The strategically-significant Sela Tunnel project in Arunachal Pradesh is nearing completion.

About

Sela Tunnel project:

• The project, being executed by the Border Roads Organisation, includes two tunnels and a link road.
• While Tunnel 1 will be 980 metres long single-tube, Tunnel 2 will be 1,555 metres with one bi-lane tube for traffic and one escape tube for emergencies running alongside.
• The link road between the two tunnels will be 1,200 metres.
• 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.

Where is it being constructed?

• Located in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, the tunnel project will provide an alternate axis to the Sela pass, which is at 13,700 feet.
• It will be on the BCT Road – the Balipara, Charduar and Tawang axis, which is more than 300 km long.
  

Importance of the tunnel:

• All-weather connectivity to Tawang and other forward areas in the sector will be the most important advantage that the project promises.
• At the moment, Sela pass stays closed for a few winter months.
• The project will provide a new alignment on the axis towards the LAC, and allow movement of military and civil vehicles all through the year.
• It will strengthen national security.
• This tunnel will work to strengthen the socio-economic condition of the citizens by bringing a big change in the transport facility of the local population.