India Approves ₹18,662 Cr Brahmaputra Underwater Tunnel 

New Delhi: India has approved its first underwater road rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam in a landmark decision aimed at transforming connectivity in the Northeast. 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the ambitious infrastructure project with an estimated investment of ₹18,662 crore. 

The project is being seen as a major step toward strengthening transport, logistics and strategic mobility in the region.

The proposed corridor will have a total length of 33.7 kilometres and will connect Gohpur on the north bank of the Brahmaputra with Numaligarh on the south bank. 

At the heart of the project is a 15.79 kilometre twin tube tunnel that will run underneath the Brahmaputra River, making it one of the most complex engineering initiatives ever undertaken in India. 

The structure will include a four lane access controlled highway along with rail provision, enabling both road and railway connectivity through the tunnel. 

Once completed, the project is expected to dramatically reduce travel distance and time between the two points. The current route of nearly 240 kilometres will shrink to approximately 34 kilometres. Travel time, which presently takes around six hours due to long detours and bridge crossings, is projected to come down to less than 30 minutes. This reduction is expected to significantly improve daily commuting, commercial transport and emergency mobility across the river.

The tunnel is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity within Assam and improving access to neighbouring states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. 

Faster movement of goods and passengers will lower logistics costs and boost economic activity in the Northeast. 

The corridor is also likely to strengthen integration with national highway networks, railway routes and inland waterways, creating a more efficient multimodal transport ecosystem.

Officials believe the project will generate large scale employment during its construction phase, contributing to local economic growth. 

It is also expected to attract private investment, promote tourism and support industrial expansion in Assam. 

Improved connectivity may enhance access to key economic zones, refineries, agricultural hubs and border areas.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the approval as a historic milestone for the state and said the project will reshape the development trajectory of the Northeast. He highlighted that the tunnel will not only accelerate economic progress but also strengthen strategic preparedness in a region that shares sensitive international borders.

The approval reflects the Centre’s continued focus on large scale infrastructure development in the Northeast as part of a broader vision to integrate the region more closely with the rest of the country. 

With its scale, cost and engineering complexity, the Brahmaputra underwater road rail tunnel is set to become one of India’s most significant infrastructure achievements in the coming years, redefining transport efficiency and regional growth in Assam and beyond.