India is poised to construct its inaugural twin-tube underwater tunnel that will accommodate both road traffic and trains beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam, representing a significant enhancement to the infrastructure in the Northeast.
An inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Expenditure Secretary, has granted ‘in-principle approval’ for the project that will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh. The 15.8 km tunnel will form the foundation of a 33.7 km corridor, which will include approach roads and a railway line.
One tube is designated for a single electrified, ballastless rail track, with road traffic suspended during train operations, while the second tube will facilitate road vehicles with two unidirectional lanes.
Positioned approximately 32 meters beneath the riverbed, the tunnel is engineered to expedite military deployment and civilian transit. Travel time is anticipated to decrease from over six hours to approximately 30 minutes, reducing the distance from 240 km to 34 km. The Rs 18,600 crore initiative is expected to be finalized within five years following Cabinet approval, prior to the elections in Assam.
