BRO launches ₹687-cr Se La tunnel in Arunachal

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has started construction of an all-weather tunnel under Se La, the critical high-altitude mountain pass which connects Tawang to the rest of Arunachal Pradesh and also the Indian mainland of the state, at an investment of ₹687 crore. The twin tunnel projects cover a distance of 12.04 km, with 1,790 and 475 meter lengths and once completed, will provide connectivity to Tawang and other forward areas. They will reduce travelling time from Tezpur to Tawang drastically as travelers would be able to avoid the dangerous snow covered Se La top at a height of 13,700 feet, said an official spokesperson of BRO. The tunnels will ensure faster troop mobility along the border giving a much-needed strategic thrust to Indian military forces against China. It will take around three years to complete construction of the Se La tunnel for which the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister recently.