Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh

Context

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

About

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.