Crossing The Sela Heights: The Roads To Tawang, Much Light At The End Of Game-changing Tunnels

Arunachal Pradesh & Assam: In our series, 'Along The China Front: Commanding The Tawang Heights', Episode One documents our travel from Dibrugarh, Assam to Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. StratNews Global focuses on the north west of Arunachal Pradesh along the LAC—the Tawang sector—after our 'East Of The Northeast' series from the east and south east of the state on the India-Burma, now Myanmar border. ‪@StratNewsGlobal‬ team of Amitabh P Revi and Rohit Pandita looks at the spurt in infrastructure and connectivity development that are having a far-reaching effect in the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In recent years, India's government has made significant investments and plans for road and tunnel construction to improve connectivity and security along the border. In this episode, we travel along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang(BCT) road, through the Nechiphu and Sela Tunnels and the Sela Pass towards Tawang. We interact with Border Roads Organisation, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Indian Air Force personnel to understand the strategic significance of the region and the efforts to counter Chinese aggression. StratNews Global also pays tribute to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat at his memorial on the way to Tawang. In Assam, the government has built a number of new roads and tunnels, including the strategically important Bogibeel Bridge, which is the longest river bridge in India. The bridge has reduced the travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by several hours, and it has also made it easier for the Indian military to deploy troops to the border region. In Arunachal Pradesh, the government has built a number of new roads and tunnels, including the Nechiphu and Sela Tunnel, which is the longest in the world at a height of over 13,500 feet. This makes a critical difference for the military to deploy troops and heavy weaponry to the LAC with China. The network is also significantly improving connectivity and economic development in the region.