In a first, Brahmaputra 'rail-road twin tunnel' gets Cabinet nod to transform North-east connectivity
Times of India
by TOI BUSINESS DESKFebruary 14, 2026
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The Indian government has approved a groundbreaking infrastructure project aimed at transforming connectivity in the northeast region. The Union Cabinet has given the go-ahead for the construction of a 4-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor from Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715), which includes a 15.79-km road-cum-rail underwater tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River. This will be India’s first such tunnel and the world’s second, with an estimated cost of Rs 18,662 crore. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Gohpur and Numaligarh, currently a six-hour journey via the Kaliabhomora bridge spanning 240 km.
The corridor will span approximately 33.7 km and integrate with two major national highways and railway sections, enhancing multimodal connectivity. It will link key economic, social, and tourist nodes, including Kaziranga National Park, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Itanagar. The tunnel component includes a twin-tube TBM (tunnel boring machine) structure for rail and road use, along with cut-and-cover sections for both road and rail. This project will not only improve passenger travel but also boost freight movement efficiency across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and other northeastern states.
Strategically, the tunnel aims to strengthen regional economic growth and trade by connecting major economic centers. It is projected to generate 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment, benefiting local economies and fostering development in surrounding areas. The project underscores India’s commitment to improving infrastructure in the northeast, a region crucial for both strategic and economic reasons. By reducing logistics costs and enhancing connectivity, this corridor will play a pivotal role in boosting trade and regional integration, making it a game-changer for the region’s future.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/14/2026