The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a historic infrastructure project in Assam. A new twin-tube underwater tunnel will be constructed under the Brahmaputra river, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. This project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Narendra Modi, comes with a total capital cost of Rs 18,662.02 Crore. It is designed to drastically reduce travel time between the north and south banks of the river, changing a six-hour journey into a short 20-minute drive.
What are the key features of this underwater tunnel?
The project spans a total length of 33.7 km, with the main underwater tunnel measuring 15.79 km. It will be built using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) about 32 meters below the riverbed. The structure consists of two tubes. The first tube will carry road traffic, while the second tube is designed to accommodate both road traffic and railway infrastructure. This makes it India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel.
The tunnel connects Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715. On the railway side, it links the Rangia-Murkongselek section on the north bank to the Furkating-Mariani loop line on the south bank. This integration ensures seamless connectivity for both passengers and goods across the river.
How will this project benefit travelers and the region?
Currently, vehicles have to travel a long distance of 240 km to cross between Gohpur and Numaligarh, which takes around 6 hours. Once this tunnel is operational, the distance will be cut down to just 33.7 km. This massive reduction means travelers can cross the river in roughly 20 minutes. Apart from saving time, the tunnel provides an all-weather link to Arunachal Pradesh and improves logistics near the border.
Another major benefit is environmental. The new route bypasses the famous Kaziranga National Park. This diversion will significantly reduce noise and pollution from vehicles that currently pass near the wildlife sanctuary, offering better protection to the animals. The project is also expected to generate around 80 lakh man-days of employment during its construction.
| Project Component | Details |
| Total Cost | Rs 18,662.02 Crore |
| Total Length | 33.7 Km |
| Tunnel Length | 15.79 Km (Under River) |
| Travel Time Impact | Reduced from 6 Hours to 20 Minutes |
| Connecting Points | Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715) |