Union Cabinet Approves India's First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel in Assam
The Union Cabinet has given its official approval for the construction of a groundbreaking 4-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor connecting Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715. This ambitious infrastructure project will feature a remarkable 15.79-kilometer road-cum-rail underwater tunnel beneath the mighty Brahmaputra River, representing a significant engineering milestone for the nation.
Massive Investment and Project Specifications
The government has sanctioned a substantial capital investment of Rs 18,662 crore for this transformative initiative. The complete project will span approximately 33.7 kilometers in total length and will be executed using the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, ensuring streamlined implementation and quality control throughout the development process.
This underwater tunnel project holds special significance as it will become India's inaugural underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second such structure worldwide, marking a technological leap forward for the country's infrastructure capabilities.
Revolutionizing Northeast Connectivity
The primary objective of this greenfield corridor is to dramatically strengthen transportation links across Assam and the broader Northeast region. Currently, travel between Numaligarh and Gohpur via the existing Kaliabhomora bridge route covers approximately 240 kilometers and consumes nearly six hours of travel time, passing through sensitive areas including Kaziranga National Park and Biswanath Town.
The new corridor with its innovative underwater tunnel component aims to substantially improve connectivity, significantly reduce logistics expenses, and enhance freight movement efficiency across multiple northeastern states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
Comprehensive Multimodal Integration
The corridor has been strategically designed to integrate seamlessly with two major national highways—NH-15 and NH-715—along with two crucial railway sections:
- The Rangia–Mukongselek railway section on the Gohpur side
- The Furkating–Mariani loop line on the Numaligarh side
This project will substantially enhance multimodal connectivity by linking numerous strategic nodes including:
- 11 economic development nodes
- 3 social infrastructure nodes
- 2 tourist destination nodes
- 8 logistics and transportation nodes
Additionally, the corridor will improve access to four major railway stations, two regional airports, and two inland waterway terminals, facilitating faster and more efficient movement of both goods and passengers throughout the region.
Strategic and Economic Implications
The government has emphasized that this project will play a pivotal role in strategic connectivity enhancement, regional economic growth stimulation, and trade expansion while strengthening vital links between major economic centers across the Northeast.
The infrastructure development is projected to generate approximately 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment opportunities, supporting substantial economic activity and development in surrounding regions and communities.
Technical Specifications of the Tunnel Component
The tunnel component will incorporate advanced engineering features including:
- A twin tube Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunnel with rail provision in one tube spanning 15.79 kilometers
- A road cut-and-cover section measuring 1.26 kilometers
- A rail cut-and-cover section extending 4 kilometers
Regional Development Impact
This transformative project will connect numerous key economic zones, industrial areas, social districts, and tourist hubs including the world-renowned Kaziranga National Park. Major urban centers that will benefit from enhanced connectivity include Numaligarh, Tezpur, Gohpur, Dibrugarh, and Itanagar, creating a more integrated and accessible regional network for economic and social development.
