Advanced Construction on Sela Tunnel to Boost Connectivity in Eastern Sector

Advanced Construction on Sela Tunnel to Boost Connectivity in Eastern Sector

VoM News Desk | September 12, 2023 | 06:38 AM IST | Arunachal Pradesh, Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Advanced Construction on Sela Tunnel to Boost Connectivity in Eastern Sector. Image/PTI

The construction of the strategically significant Sela Tunnel by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is in an advanced stage, aiming to enhance connectivity in the Eastern Sector of the Line of Actual Control with China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate the smaller Nechifu Tunnel, located on the same road route to Tawang, ahead of the Sela Tunnel. Approximately one month’s work remains for the completion of the Sela Tunnel.

Sela Tunnel Project Overview

• Location: West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Purpose: To provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang.
• Components: The project includes Tunnel 1 (a 980 m long single tube tunnel) and Tunnel 2 (a 1555 m long twin tube tunnel). Tunnel 2 features one bylane tube for traffic and one escape tube for emergencies.
• Altitude: One of the longest tunnels constructed above an altitude of 13,000 feet.

Strategic Significance

• Travel Time Reduction: The Sela Tunnel Project will significantly reduce travel time from Tezpur to Tawang by more than one hour, enabling travelers to bypass the dangerous snow-covered 13,700-ft high Sela top.
• Connectivity: It will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang, a town inhabited by more than 50,000 people, known as “Little Tibet” by China.
• Avoiding Snowfall Areas: The tunnel will avoid avalanche-prone and snowfall areas, ensuring safer transportation.
• Border Roads Organisation Projects: Multiple projects by the Border Roads Organisation aim to match the buildup of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Progress and Completion Timeline

• Inauguration: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to inaugurate the Nechifu Tunnel ahead of the Sela Tunnel.
• Remaining Work: Approximately one month’s work remains for the Sela Tunnel, which is expected to be completed soon.
• Foundation Stone Laying: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel Project on February 9, 2019.
• Cost: The project has an initial cost of Rs 687 Crore and is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation. It is expected to be completed in the next three years.
• Total Distance Covered: The project covers a total distance of 12.04 km and includes two tunnels of 1,790 m and 475 m, along with approach roads of 9.75 km.

Enhanced Connectivity in Eastern Sector

• Road Connectivity Push: There is a strong push for road connectivity along the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control, divided into the Western Sector (Ladakh), Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), and Eastern Sector (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh).
• Multiple Tunnel Projects: Construction work on three tunnels in Arunachal Pradesh, four in Jammu and Kashmir, and one in Ladakh is in various stages of progress.
• Future Tunnel: A tunnel project is planned towards Mussoorie in Uttarakhand in an area known as Zig-Zag.
• Strategic Airlift Capability: Once complete, the infrastructure will enable operations by strategic airlift aircraft like the C-130J, C-17, and ILs, along with fighter operations.
• Near LAC: The airstrip is located within 40 km of the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, enhancing the Indian Air Force’s capability for swift operations.

The progress in constructing the Sela Tunnel and other key infrastructure projects in the region aims to bolster connectivity and strategic readiness in the Eastern Sector, contributing to India’s border security and regional development.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.