Guwahati, Feb 14: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of India’s first twin-tube underwater rail-cum-road tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam, with a total capital cost of Rs. 18,662 crore.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the decision as a “historic milestone” that would enhance connectivity and accelerate economic growth in the region.
The 33.7-km corridor, featuring a 15.79-km tunnel, will drastically reduce travel distance from 240 km to 34 km and cut travel time from six hours to approximately 20 minutes.
The project aims to boost trade, logistics efficiency, and provide significant benefits to the Northeast, while also integrating the region with the rest of the country. The tunnel, which is Assam’s first and the state’s fourth railway crossing over the Brahmaputra, is seen as a strategic asset for further economic and industrial development.
