The Sela Tunnel - importance and the strategic edge it promises

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated20/05/2022

Sela Tunnel project in Arunachal Pradesh is about to complete.
It will boost all-weather connectivity to the Line of Actual Control with China.

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Executed by: Border Roads Organisation under Project Vartak.
It includes two tunnels and a link road.
- Tunnel 1: 980 metres long single-tube
- Tunnel 2: 1,555 metres with one bi-lane tube for traffic and one escape tube for emergencies running alongside.
  - Tunnel 2 will be one of the longest tunnels constructed above an altitude of over 13,000 feet.
- Link road b/w two tunnels will be 1,200 metres.
Total length of the project: 12 km.
The development is a part of the Union Government’s effort to develop connectivity infrastructure in border areas to secure India’s defence.
It is constructed using the latest New Austrian Tunneling Method

All-weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas - an area claimed entirely by China and other forward areas.
Once built it will cut travel time to Tawang by at least an hour for Indian troops stationed in adjoining Assam’s Tezpur town — the headquarters of the Indian army’s IV Corps.
Travellers will be able to avoid the dangerous snow-covered Sela top at a height of 13,700 feet.
It will strengthen national security.
It will work to strengthen the socio-economic condition of the citizens by bringing a big change in the transport facility of the local population.

The lack of motorable roads and rail connections in India’s northeast and Arunachal Pradesh were seen as distinct disadvantages for India vis a vis China in the region.
Analysts had been warning of China building infrastructure including access roads right up to the Indian border that would give it a strategic advantage in any conflict with India.
Once completed it will strengthen the country’s security infrastructure.

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