Sela Tunnel is a road tunnel at which ensures all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. This tunnel is the longest bi-lane tunnel in the world at 13,000 feet. Situated 400 metres below the Sela Pass, the Sela Tunnel offers a vital passage, especially during the winter season. The tunnel helps move troops, weapons, and machinery quickly along the Sino-India border. It is connected with NH13 by a new 12.4 km road and has reduced the distance between Dirang and Tawang by 10 km. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on 9 March 2024.
Etymology
Location
The Sela Tunnel cuts through the Sela–Charbela ridge, which separates the
Tawang district from the West Kameng district (
Dirang). It is located a few kilometres to the west of the
Sela Pass. The tunnel runs at an elevation of , in contrast to the Sela Pass at . It avoids the winter snowfalls on the Sela Pass in addition to cutting down the travel time to Tawang by an hour.
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The project in fact involves two tunnels. The first tunnel, long, cuts through a longitudinal ridge entering it at . After emerging, a second tunnel, long, runs through the main Sela–Chabrela ridge at . The two tunnels together bypass the Sela Pass and maintain an elevation of 3000 m.[
Sela tunnel: All-weather road brings Indian troops to China's doorstep; what you need to know, Firstpost 14 October 2021.
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Strategic importance
This strategic tunnel is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under
Project Vartak. It will enhance
Indian military's capabilities in combating the threat of China's Western Theater Command opposite India's eastern sector of Line of Actual Control. It will cut the travel time from the
Indian Army's IV Corps headquarter at
Tezpur to Tawang by at least 10 km or 1 hour and also help make the NH13 an all-weather road to access Tawang which usually gets disconnected during winter.
The tunnels would ensure that the 171 km road between
Bomdila and Tawang remains accessible in all weather conditions.
The BRO is also improving the road from Sangestar Tso (north of Tawang) to Bum La Pass on India-China Line of Actual Control (disputed parts of McMahon Line).
Sela pass is located at 4,200 m
The tunnel will add to the tourist potential of Tawang and attract more tourists making Tawang a more popular destination in North East region.
Status updates
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February 2018: Project announced in 2018-19 union budget.
[ Sela pass tunnel, The Economic Times, 1 February 2018.]
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February 2019: Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tunnel to be ready in three years by February 2022.
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Sela tunnel construction to start soon, Business Standard, 21 Nov 2018.
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September 2019: Construction of approach road was ongoing and tunnel boring commenced by month end.
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September 2020: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, inspected the progress of the work on 4 September 2020 and said that " Happy to notice the work progress, all work will be completed by end of 2021."
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July 2021: Excavation of the 980 m escape tube was completed in July 2021.
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Last blast of Sela Tunnel’s escape tube conducted by DG Border Roads through video conferencing, Ministry of Defence Press release, 22 July 2022.
This will facilitate faster completion of Sela Tunnel by undertaking simultaneous activities in two-way tube of 1,555 m besides 8.8 km of approach roads.
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March 2024: PM Narendra Modi dedicated the tunnel to the nation before a rally in Arunachal Pradesh.
See also
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India-China Border Roads
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Bhalukpong-Tawang railway, under-construction
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Arunachal Frontier Highway, proposed along Indo-China LOC in upper Arunachal Pradesh
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East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, proposed in lower foothills of Arunachal Pradesh
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Northeast Connectivity projects
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Look-East Connectivity projects
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Z-Morh Tunnel
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Zoji-la Tunnel
