The Union Cabinet, through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for a massive ₹18,662 crore infrastructure project in the northeastern state of Assam that promises to transform transportation and connectivity in the region. The project, which comes at a time when Assam is gearing up for Assembly elections, is among the most ambitious infrastructure decisions taken by the Central government in recent times and is expected to have long-term implications for economic growth, logistics, defence readiness and regional integration.
The approved plan involves the construction of a four-lane access-controlled greenfield highway corridor between Gohpur on National Highway-15 (NH-15) and Numaligarh on National Highway-715 (NH-715). A standout feature of this corridor is the inclusion of a 15.79-kilometre twin-tube tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River — a first for India. One of the twin tubes will be designed to support both road and rail traffic, making it India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second of its kind in the world.
Currently, travel between Numaligarh and Gohpur — two important economic and logistical hubs in Assam — relies on overland routes such as the Kaliabhomora Bridge near Silghat, which extends the journey to about 240 kilometres and can take up to six hours. This long and difficult circuitous route traverses sensitive ecological zones including areas near Kaziranga National Park and major urban nodes. The new corridor, by contrast, will dramatically reduce travel time, enhance freight movement, and provide a seamless and safer option for passenger transit across the Brahmaputra — a river that divides the region and has historically posed logistical challenges.
Developed on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, the project’s full length will be roughly 33.7 kilometres, including the underwater section and adjoining approaches. The strategic integration of rail and road in the tunnel adds considerable value to multimodal transport, enabling faster movement of goods and people between Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and other Northeast states. The rail component of the project connects existing rail lines on either side of the river, integrating both connectivity and economic nodes across the region.
Officials emphasize that the corridor is more than a transportation link — it is a catalyst for social and economic change. By enhancing connectivity, the project is expected to boost trade, reduce logistics costs, encourage industrial investment, and create employment opportunities during both construction and operational phases. Estimates suggest that the development will generate millions of person-days of employment, spur regional industry clusters, and enhance access to markets and services across the northeastern states.
The strategic significance of the project has also been highlighted in the context of national security and defence logistics, given Assam’s proximity to international borders. Leaders have indicated that enhanced infrastructure will facilitate faster movement for both civilian and defence needs, thereby strengthening internal lines of communication and national preparedness.
The timing of this approval — ahead of the Assam Assembly elections — has drawn political and public attention. Government officials have underscored the long-term developmental benefits, while critics and opposition figures have scrutinised the decision through the lens of electoral politics. Nonetheless, the project marks a major infrastructure milestone and positions Assam as a key beneficiary of India’s push to enhance connectivity to the Northeast, bridge gaps in logistics, and unlock economic potential in previously underserved regions.
This corridor and tunnel project is poised to redefine regional travel, upgrade logistical efficiency, and serve as a cornerstone in India’s broader infrastructure and Northeast development strategy as the state heads into elections later this year.