Sela Tunnel: the 13,000-foot BRO tunnel that gives Tawang all-weather connectivity

Background

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated the Sela Tunnel project to the nation from Itanagar on March 09, 2024. The Border Roads Organisation built it at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Built at a total cost of Rs 825 crore, it provides all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara - Chariduar - Tawang Road. It used the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The foundation stone was laid on February 09, 2019, and construction began on April 01, 2019.