Gohpur–Numaligarh Underwater Tunnel to Cut Travel Time to 20 Minutes: CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the proposed twin-tube underwater road-rail tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh will be a game-changing project for the Northeast. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, it will be India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra.

The tunnel will reduce the 240-km distance to 34 km and cut travel time from nearly six hours to about 20 minutes. Built around 57 metres below the riverbed at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore, the project will generate about 80 lakh human-days of employment.

Sarma said the tunnel has strong strategic importance, with support from the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence contributing 20% of the cost. Land acquisition will begin soon, and the state aims to complete the project within five years.