The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit the construction of a 4-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield connectivity project between Gohpur on NH-15 and Numaligarh on NH-715. This includes the development of a 15.79 km road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam, with a total estimated cost of Rs. 18,662 crores through Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) methods. Currently, the journey between Numaligarh and Gohpur spans 240 km via the existing Kaliabhambhora road bridge, taking up to 6 hours and traversing through significant areas such as Numaligarh, Kaziranga National Park, and Biswanath Town.
The new project aims to establish a direct route that significantly reduces travel time and enhances connectivity. It will mark India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and the second in the world, thus contributing vital infrastructure not only to Assam but also to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and other northeastern states. The initiative is anticipated to improve freight movement efficiency, lower logistics costs, and stimulate socio-economic development throughout the region.
Furthermore, the alignment of this project will connect with two major National Highways (NH-15 and NH-715) and two railway lines within the North Frontier Railway network, ensuring seamless transportation across key economic and social nodes in Assam. It is designed to enhance multi-modal integration by linking 11 economic nodes, 3 social nodes, 2 tourist nodes, and 8 logistic nodes, in addition to connecting 4 major railway stations, 2 airports, and 2 inland waterways. This connectivity will facilitate the rapid movement of goods and passengers.
Upon its completion, the project is poised to play a crucial role in regional economic growth, bolster connectivity among major economic centers, and create pathways for trade and industrial development. It is expected to generate approximately 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment, fostering new opportunities for growth and prosperity in the neighboring regions.