en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of the country's first underwater road-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

The tunnel itself is 15.79 kilometers long and forms a key part of a 33.7-kilometer, four-lane controlled-access green corridor. This corridor will connect Gohpur on National Highway 15 with Numaligarh on National Highway 715.

According to a CCEA announcement, the total capital cost of the project is estimated at INR 186.62 billion (approximately $1.96 billion) and will be implemented under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model.

Currently, traveling from Gohpur to Numaligarh requires a 240-kilometer journey via the existing road, crossing the Kaliabhambhora road bridge near Silghat on NH-52. The trip takes up to six hours and passes through Kaziranga National Park and the town of Biswanath.

The new tunnel and controlled-access corridor aim to significantly reduce travel time and enhance regional transport efficiency, particularly benefiting Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and other parts of Northeast India.

The CCEA believes this initiative will improve freight efficiency, lower logistics costs, and drive local socio-economic growth.

The approved route will connect two national highways, NH-15 and NH-715, as well as two railway lines: the Rangia-Mukongselek section under the Rangia division of the Northeast Frontier Railway and the Furkating-Mariani loop line under the Tinsukia division.

The plan also includes integration with other transport hubs, involving 11 economic nodes, 3 social nodes, 2 tourism nodes, and 8 logistics nodes.

The tunnel will also improve access to four major railway stations, two airports, and two inland waterways, facilitating the movement of goods and people in the region.

The project is expected to generate approximately 8 million direct and indirect person-days of employment.

The CCEA stated that upon completion, the project will play a crucial role in strategic positioning, regional economic growth, strengthening connectivity between major economic centers, and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com