Sela Tunnel
Sela Tunnel is an under-construction road tunnel at 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) which will ensure all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh state. The tunnel is being excavated below the 4,200 metres (13,800 ft) Sela Pass in India on NH 13 component of Trans-Arunachal Highway system. It will reduce the distance between Dirang and Tawang by 10 km. It has a 3-year target target completion date of Feb 2022 after the construction commenced in 2019.[1] The tunnel will provide access to Tawang by an all-weather road in the western region of Arunachal Pradesh throughout the year.
The project provides for two tunnels of 1790 m and 475 m lengths.
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.[1] The tunnels would ensure that the 171 km road between Bomdila and Tawang remains accessible in all weather conditions.
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).[1] NH13 has been converted to 2-lane road.[1]
Sela pass is located at 4,200 m[1] but the two tunnels are located at the height of 3,000 m (10,000 feet). The tunnel cuts through Sela-Chabrela ridge. A new greenfield alignment 12.37 km long road from the tunnel will meet the existing Balipara-Chaudur-Tawang road on the Nurarang side and the hairpin bends to the Sela Pass will be avoided.
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
- February 2018: Project announced in 2018-19 union budget.[2]
- February 2019: Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tunnel to be ready in three years by Feb 2022.[3][1]
- September 2019: Construction of approach road was ongoing and tunnel boring commenced by month end.[4]
- September 2020: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister inspected the progress of the work on 4 Sep 2020 and said that "Happy to notice the work progress, all work will be completed by end of 2021."[5]
See also
- Bhalukpong-Tawang railway, under-construction
- Arunachal Frontier Highway, proposed along Indo-China LOC in upper Arunachal Pradesh
- East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, proposed in lower foothills of Arunachal Pradesh
- Northeast Connectivity projects
- Look-East Connectivity projects
References
- ^ a b c d e f Sela tunnel construction to start soon, Business Standard, 21 Nov 2018.
- ^ Sela pass tunnel, Economic Times, 1 Feb 2018.
- ^ https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/pm-modi-inaugurates-sela-tunnel-project-in-arunachal-pradesh-119020900558_1.html
- ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/20/work-on-important-sela-tunnel-connecting-with-tawang-to-begin-by-september-end-2036434.html
- ^ https://arunachalobserver.org/2020/09/05/sela-pass-tunnel-to-be-ready-by-2021-cm/