In a major boost to India’s infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the country’s first road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Notably, the proposed twin-tube tunnel, with dedicated approach roads for both vehicular traffic and trains, will be only the second such project of its kind in the world. Here’s more about it.
India Approves First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel
India’s first underwater twin TBM road-cum-rail tunnel—marking a major milestone in infrastructure development in the North East!
Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, has approved the development of a 4-lane access-controlled greenfield National… pic.twitter.com/MQkIwHYFIz
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 14, 2026
On Saturday, the Centre approved the construction of India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel, which will be built under the Brahmaputra River in Assam. According to NDTV, a budget of ₹18,662 crore has been sanctioned for the project. The plan includes the development of a four-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor between Gohpur and Numaligarh, spanning 33.7 km, which will feature the country’s first road-and-rail tunnel of 15.79 km under the Brahmaputra.
Sharing details about this project, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, shared, “Strategically significant, the project will address critical connectivity and security requirements while accelerating economic growth through high-speed connectivity between the state capitals of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It will improve logistical efficiency for traffic travelling from Guwahati and Dibrugarh to Itanagar and beyond.”
He further added that the project is also likely to boost “tourism potential across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, enhance user convenience by connecting key towns and district headquarters along the alignment, and strengthen vital border connectivity.”
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Here’s What We Know So Far
It is also worth noting that this will be India’s first underwater road-and-rail tunnel, and the second of its kind in the world. As per the NDTV report, once operational, this tunnel will help improve freight movement, reduce logistics costs and drive socio-economic growth in the region.
The Times of India reported that India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh in Assam and will cut travel time from the current six hours to just 20 minutes! It will also shorten the travel distance from 240 km to roughly 34 km upon completion.
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Are you excited about this upcoming project? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@gemsofbabus_ (representative image)
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