Sela Tunnel, built at 13,000 feet for Rs 825 crore, gives Tawang all-weather road access

State Focus Arunachal Pradesh Infrastructure Defence & Security Infrastructure & Transport

Sela Tunnel, built at 13,000 feet for Rs 825 crore, gives Tawang all-weather road access

17 October 2026

The Prime Minister virtually dedicated the Sela Tunnel to the nation from Itanagar on 9 March 2024, during the Viksit Bharat Viksit North East programme.
The tunnel was built by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs 825 crore and lies at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
It is on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road, which runs across the Sela Pass, and it is located in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The tunnel connects Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
It was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, with the foundation stone laid on 9 February 2019 and construction beginning on 1 April 2019.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju were present at the ceremony.

Cost: Rs 825 crore Altitude: 13,000 feet Road: Balipara - Chariduar - Tawang Road District: West Kameng Builder: Border Roads Organisation

Why it matters for exams: One of the most asked border infrastructure facts, with its road, district, altitude, cost and builder.

Kerala PSCUPSC

17 October 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau

In plain words

BRO Border Roads Organisation — The body that builds and maintains roads in India's border areas, under the Ministry of Defence.

NATM New Austrian Tunnelling Method — A tunnelling technique that uses the surrounding rock itself as part of the support structure.