Union Cabinet Greenlights Major Infrastructure Push Worth Over Rs 31,000 Crore
In a significant move to bolster national infrastructure, the Union Cabinet has approved a series of projects totaling more than Rs 31,000 crore. The centerpiece of this approval is the construction of India's first road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam, a groundbreaking initiative with both economic and strategic implications.
Brahmaputra Tunnel: A World-Class Engineering Marvel
The twin-tube common tunnel, estimated to cost Rs 18,662 crore, will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh in Assam. This project is only the second of its kind globally, featuring interconnected tubes at intervals of 500 meters. Officials have confirmed that the tunnel will be constructed approximately 32 meters below the Brahmaputra's lowest bed level, ensuring stability and safety.
One tube will be dedicated to a single rail track, with vehicular movement prohibited during train operations to maintain security and efficiency.
Transformative Impact on Connectivity and Travel
Currently, the journey between Gohpur and Numaligarh spans about 240 kilometers and takes roughly six hours. The new four-lane tunnel will dramatically reduce this distance to approximately 34 kilometers, slashing travel time to just 20 minutes. This enhancement is expected to significantly improve logistics and accelerate economic growth across Assam and the broader Northeast region.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the project, fully funded by the government, offers "strategic resilience" for defense purposes while ensuring high-speed connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh.
Historical Context and Project Evolution
Originally, the connectivity between Gohpur and Numaligarh was part of the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East initiated in 2008, which planned for a bridge. However, proposals evolved to include a road tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra, later modified to accommodate both vehicles and trains in a common tunnel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Brahmaputra tunnel as a "landmark boost to connectivity in the northeast." In a social media post, he stated, "This transformative project will enhance connectivity, reduce logistics costs and accelerate growth across Assam and the entire Northeast."
Additional Highway and Railway Projects Approved
Beyond the tunnel, the Cabinet approved three National Highway projects with a combined cost exceeding Rs 11,000 crore:
- A 107.7-kilometer four-lane highway in Gujarat
- A 154.6-kilometer highway stretch in Maharashtra
- An 80-kilometer corridor of NH-167 in Telangana
In the rail sector, three multi-tracking projects covering 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka were approved at an estimated cost of Rs 18,509 crore. These projects will add 389 kilometers to the existing railway network, with completion targeted by March 2031.
Notably, the laying of third and fourth lines between Kasara and Manmad in Maharashtra will include the second longest tunnel on the rail network.
Future Prospects and Strategic Significance
A similar 22-kilometer road-cum-rail tunnel through the Chicken Neck corridor in the northeast is also in the planning stages, indicating a continued focus on enhancing infrastructure in strategically vital regions. These approvals underscore the government's commitment to modernizing India's transport networks, fostering regional development, and strengthening national security through improved connectivity.
