Sela Tunnel Inaugurated in Arunachal Pradesh

March 13, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Sela tunnel to the nation, a strategic infrastructure project located in Arunachal Pradesh. The tunnel, built at an altitude of 13,000 feet, is expected to provide all-weather connectivity to the strategically located Tawang district and improve the movement of troops along the frontier region.
Prime Minister attended the virtual inauguration of the tunnel project at the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Northeast’ programme in Itanagar.

Key Features of the Sela Tunnel

The Sela tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, is being hailed as the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world at such an altitude. The tunnel, built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), connects Assam’s Tezpur to the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The project was completed in just five years, despite challenges posed by the difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
The tunnel has been constructed using the new Austrian tunnelling method and incorporates safety features of the highest standards. It is expected to provide a faster and more efficient transport route in the region and prove to be of strategic importance to the country.

Strategic Significance of the Sela Tunnel

The Sela tunnel will provide better movement of troops and weaponry to various forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, according to military officials. The tunnel is expected to boost the preparedness of the armed forces and augment the socioeconomic development of the border region.

BRO’s Role in Border Area Development

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been at the forefront of developing border areas. In the last three years, the BRO has completed a record 330 infrastructure projects, constructed at a cost of Rs 8,737 crore.

China’s Protest

China has lodged a diplomatic protest with India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the strategically important Sela tunnel. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, said India’s move would “only complicate” the boundary issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it. He further stated that India had no right to arbitrarily develop the area of Zangnan in China, the name China has given to Arunachal Pradesh.

India’s Response

India has asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and that assigning “invented” names won’t alter reality. This is not the first time China has objected to visits by Indian politicians to Arunachal Pradesh.

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