Arunachal Pradesh: Strategically important Sella Tunnel nearing completion; CM Khandu, DoNER ministry lauds BRO

Arunachal Pradesh and the nation is soon going to witness a milestone as the strategic Sela Tunnel is nearing completion. Located over 13,000 feet above the sea level, once completed, the tunnel will go a long way in providing all-weather connectivity to the Line of Actual Control with China.

Taking to Twitter, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu sharing information about the progress of the mega dream project said that the project is nearing completion and lauded the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation.

Chief Minister Khandu said, “The terrain could be treacherous, but its timid in front of human will!
Admire grit & determination of @BROindia for constructing Sela Tunnel on Balipara Charduar Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh by challenging the tough conditions. The project nearing completion under Sela Pass (13,700 ft), will become the world’s highest bi-lane tunnel, and boost our defence preparedness.
My best wishes.”

Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has said that the Sela Tunnel will be a game changer.

The BRO tweeted,”Karamyogis worked relentlessly on this strategic project which will be a game changer for Defence preparedness and will definitely boost the socio-economic development in the border region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Jai Hind ! Jai BRO !!”

On the other hand, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) hailed the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in executing this all important project. The Ministry of DoNER said,”Truly Extraordinary @BROindia
Karamyogis🙏
Once #SelaTunnel is completed, it will be the longest bilane tunnel in the World above 13K ft & provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang.”

“Boosting defense preparedness, it would enhance socio-economic development in Arunachal Pradesh,” the DoNER ministry said in a Tweet.

It may be mentioned that the deadline for the completion of the tunnel was June 2022, but was revised to November.

The project consists of Tunnel 1, which is 980 metres long, and Tunnel 2, a 1,555-metre twin tube tunnel. The tunnels are coming up through two ridges west of Sela. It also includes the construction of two roads, measuring 7 km and 1.3 km. Tunnel 2 has one bi-lane tube for traffic and one escape tube for emergencies. Only tunnels longer than 1,500 metres need to have an escape passage alongside.

Worth mentioning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel Project on February 7, 2019. The project costing over Rs. 700 crore covers a total distance of 12.04 kms which consist of two tunnels of 1790 and 475 meters.
Once completed this would result in:-
All weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas.
Reduction in more than one hour of travelling time from Tezpur to Tawang.
Travellers would be able to avoid the dangerous snow covered Sela top at a height of 13,700 feet.