In a landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a massive infrastructure project in Assam. Valued at Rs 18,662 crore, the initiative will construct a 4-lane access-controlled greenfield highway on NH-15 from Gohpur to Numaligarh, spanning 71.5 km. The crown jewel of this project is a 15.79 km road-cum-rail tunnel burrowed beneath the mighty Brahmaputra River, marking India’s first and the world’s second underwater tunnel of its kind.
Currently, travelers between Numaligarh on NH-715 and Gohpur on NH-15 endure a grueling 240 km detour via the Kaliyabhomora bridge near Silghat on NH-52. This journey snakes through Numaligarh, Kaziranga National Park, and Biswanath town, devouring a full six hours. The new corridor promises to slash this time dramatically, revolutionizing connectivity in the Northeast.
The project links two vital national highways—NH-15 and NH-715—with key railway lines, including the Rangiya-Mukongsellek section under NFR’s Rangiya Division and the Furkating-Mariani loop under Tinsukia Division. It will seamlessly connect Assam’s economic powerhouses, social hubs, and logistics nodes, integrating 11 economic centers, 3 social centers, 2 tourism spots, and 8 logistics hubs.
Enhanced multimodal integration awaits, with superior access to four major railway stations, two airports, and two inland waterways. This will turbocharge the movement of goods and passengers, boosting freight efficiency, slashing logistics costs, and fueling socio-economic growth across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and other Northeastern states.
Strategically, the tunnel fortifies regional security while opening new avenues for trade and industry. Upon completion, it is projected to generate nearly 80 lakh man-days of direct and indirect employment, ushering in prosperity and development to surrounding areas. This ambitious endeavor underscores India’s commitment to world-class infrastructure in its most challenging terrains.