Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Inaugurate Sela Tunnel Project In Arunachal Pradesh

During his upcoming visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday (9 March), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the strategically significant Sela Tunnel project.

The project, constructed at an altitude of 13,700 feet in West Kameng district, is built with a total cost of Rs 825 crore. It aims to provide all-weather connectivity on the road connecting Tezpur to Tawang.

Executed by the Border Road Organisation (BRO), it consists of two tunnels and a link road. Tunnel 1, with a length of 980 metres, is a single-tube tunnel, while Tunnel 2, spanning 1,555 metres, features one bi-lane tube for traffic and one for emergency services. The link road between the two tunnels is 1,200 metres long.

Strategically, the project holds immense significance, especially in the Tawang region, which has been long contested by China. The tunnel project will provide easier movement for military personnel and equipment throughout the year, enhancing logistical prowess in the strategic Tawang sector. Lieutenant General Harpal Singh (retd) described it as a monumental enhancement in the army’s logistical capabilities.

The tunnel addresses the challenge of winter connectivity to Tawang over the Sela Pass. With travel time reduced by at least one hour, the tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity, allowing swifter responses to security challenges. Additionally, it facilitates socioeconomic advancement by granting easier access to markets, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

The construction of the tunnel was a complex endeavour, involving advanced Austrian tunnelling techniques and the efforts of 50 specialist engineers and hundreds of BRO workers.

Despite delays due to prolonged winters, the project's completion marks a significant milestone in India's infrastructure development along its border areas.

India's focus on infrastructure development in border regions is a response to China's thrust on developing its border areas. The fast-track execution of strategic projects reflects India's commitment to enhancing military operations and catching up with China in border infrastructure