Cabinet Clears India’s First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Project in Assam

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major infrastructure project in Assam featuring a twin-tube, TBM-based underwater tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River. The project involves a 4-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor linking Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715), with a total length of 33.7 km, including a 15.79 km road-cum-rail tunnel. The estimated capital cost stands at ₹18,662 crore, to be executed under the EPC model. At present, travel between Numaligarh and Gohpur requires a 240 km detour via the Kaliabhambhora bridge near Silghat, taking around six hours and passing through congested stretches near Kaziranga and Biswanath. The new alignment will dramatically shorten travel time and improve reliability for both passenger and freight movement. Designed as a multi-modal connectivity boost, the corridor will integrate with NH-15, NH-715, and key railway sections of the Northeast Frontier Railway, while enhancing access to economic, social, tourist, and logistics nodes. It will also strengthen links to major railway stations, airports, and inland waterways. Officials say the project will be strategically significant for Assam and neighboring northeastern states, reducing logistics costs and stimulating regional growth. Construction is expected to generate nearly 80 lakh person-days of employment, delivering broad economic benefits to the region.