India to build world's second underwater road-cum-rail tunnel in Assam
The project is set to benefit Assam and neighbouring northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland by facilitating freight movement and reducing logistics costs
The Indian government has approved the construction of the country's first and the world's second underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in the northeastern state of Assam.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February, according to an official statement issued today (14 February).
The 15.79-kilometre, four-lane access-controlled road-cum-rail tunnel will connect Gohpur with Numaligarh at an estimated cost of Rs18,662 crore. The government described it as India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and the second of its kind globally.
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At present, the distance between Numaligarh and Gohpur is around 240 kilometres via the existing Kaliabhomora road bridge near Silghat, a journey that takes approximately six hours. The proposed tunnel is expected to significantly cut travel time and improve connectivity.
The project is set to benefit Assam and neighbouring northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland by facilitating freight movement and reducing logistics costs.
According to the statement, the tunnel will integrate with two major national highways and two railway lines, ensuring seamless connectivity to key economic, social and logistics hubs across Assam.
It will also link with eleven economic nodes, three social nodes, two tourist destinations and eight logistics nodes, while enhancing access to four major railway stations, two airports and two inland waterways.
The government said the project is expected to generate around eight million direct and indirect employment opportunities.
