News Reporter
Sela Tunnel Enhances Indian Army's Operational Capacity in Border Region
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - October 03 2023:In a significant development, the strategically crucial Sela Tunnel, designed to provide year-round connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, is nearing completion, with approximately 96% of the work already finished. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engineers revealed this promising update, and the tunnel is expected to be inaugurated by the end of 2023.
According to a high-ranking BRO engineer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, only a few pending tasks in the escape tunnel and pavement remain, and these are also in their final stages of completion. The tunnel is currently undergoing finishing touches, including the installation of essential safety measures.
BRO's Project Vartak embarked on the excavation of the Sela Tunnel, situated below the 13,800 ft Sela Pass. This pass is often obstructed by heavy snowfall and landslides, causing disruptions in connectivity between Tawang district and the rest of Arunachal Pradesh.
The completion of the Sela Tunnel project holds immense strategic significance. It will enable year-round access to Tawang and other forward areas along the Chinese border, greatly enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army. While the tunnel's passage is already open for construction-related vehicles, it is not yet accessible for general traffic.
Kuldeep Singh, a site engineer from the company overseeing the project under BRO's supervision, noted that the challenging weather conditions in the region pose a significant hurdle. He stated, "The weather is a major issue here. There is heavy rain and even snowfall… If the weather does not impede, we hope to be able to open it for the public by the end of this year." The project's total length, including the tunnels, approach roads, and link roads, will span approximately 12 kilometers.
"The Sela tunnel project will bypass the existing narrow road leading to Sela Pass and will connect Baisakhi to Nuranang with a double-lane specification road featuring two tunnels. This will facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow during the winter season. Construction of this project is expected to save eight kilometers in distance and reduce travel time through the challenging Sela Pass by at least 90 minutes," explained BRO in a statement.
The nearing completion of the Sela Tunnel project brings a promising future of enhanced connectivity and strategic benefits to the region, offering a safer and more reliable route to Tawang and the border areas.