Government Approves India’s First Underwater Tunnel Across Brahmaputra in Assam

New Delhi: India’s infrastructure push in the Northeast has reached a historic milestone with the central government granting approval for an underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Once completed, this ambitious project will become India’s first underwater river tunnel, significantly enhancing connectivity, reducing travel time, and strengthening strategic infrastructure in the region.

The project reflects the government’s long-term vision to integrate the Northeast more closely with the national economic and transport network.

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Project Overview: India’s First Underwater River Tunnel

The approved project involves the construction of a twin-tube underwater tunnel connecting Gohpur on the north bank of the Brahmaputra with Numaligarh on the south bank. The tunnel will support both road and rail traffic, making it one of the most complex and high-value infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the region.

With an estimated length of approximately 15–16 kilometres, the tunnel will pass beneath one of India’s widest and most powerful rivers, showcasing advanced engineering and construction technologies.

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Strategic and Economic Significance

The underwater tunnel is not just a transport project—it carries strategic, economic, and defence importance.

Key Benefits:

• Massive reduction in travel time: What currently takes over 5–6 hours via bridges and road diversions will be reduced to 20–30 minutes.
• Improved logistics and freight movement between northern and southern Assam.
• Enhanced defence mobility, particularly for regions close to Arunachal Pradesh.
• Stronger disaster-resilient connectivity, especially during floods when bridges often face restrictions.

The project will act as a backbone for industrial growth around Numaligarh Refinery, Kaziranga region, and upper Assam.

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Project Cost and Timeline

Initially conceptualised as a road tunnel, the project scope was expanded to include a railway corridor, following strategic recommendations. This expansion has increased the estimated cost to ₹20,000–22,000 crore, making it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in the Northeast.

Expected Timeline:

• Pre-construction & DPR finalisation: Ongoing
• Construction period: Around 5 years
• Technology: Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) designed for high water pressure and seismic sensitivity

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Engineering Challenges and Innovation

Constructing an underwater tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra presents unique challenges:

• High sediment load
• Strong river currents
• Seismic sensitivity of the region
• Water pressure management

To address these, the project will deploy international-standard tunnel engineering practices, advanced monitoring systems, and disaster-resilient designs. The twin-tube structure will ensure safety, redundancy, and efficient traffic movement.

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Boost to Assam and the Northeast

The tunnel is expected to deliver a transformational impact on Assam’s economy and the broader Northeast region.

Long-term Impact:

• Faster access to markets, healthcare, and education
• Growth in tourism, especially around Kaziranga National Park
• Increased investment attractiveness for industries
• Employment generation during construction and operations

The project aligns with the government’s broader “Act East” and “Viksit Bharat” vision, strengthening India’s eastern corridor.

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A Landmark Step in India’s Infrastructure Journey

With government approval now in place, the Brahmaputra underwater tunnel marks a new chapter in Indian infrastructure development. It places India among a select group of nations capable of executing complex underwater tunnelling projects and underscores the strategic importance of the Northeast in national development.

Once operational, the tunnel will stand as a symbol of engineering excellence, strategic foresight, and regional integration.

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