Currently, connectivity between Numaligarh on NH715 and Gohpur on NH-15 is 240 Km. from the existing Kaliabhambhora road bridge near Silghat on NH-52 which takes 6 Hours passing through Numaligarh, Kaziranga National park and Biswanath Town.
To address these challenges, the project is proposed to be developed as 4-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield connectivity from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh with Road cum Rail tunnel below the river Brahmaputra river. This would be the first underwater Road cum Rail tunnel in India and second in the world. The project will provide significant benefit to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other North -Eastern States. This will enhance the efficiency of freight movement, reducing logistics cost and driving socio-economic growth in the region.
The statement stated the project alignment integrates with 02 major National Highways (NH-15 and NH-715) and 02 Railway lines, Rangia-Mukongselek Railway Section under Rangia Division of Northeast India Frontier Railway (NFR) on Gohpur Side and Furkating-Mariani loop line section under Tinsukia Division of NFR on Numaligarh side.
The project provides seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Assam. Additionally, the project will enhance multi-modal integration by connecting with 11 Economic Nodes, 3 Social Nodes, 2 Tourist nodes and 8 Logistic Nodes, providing enhanced connectivity with 4 Major Railway Station, 2 Airport, and 2 inland water way thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region.
Upon completion, the project will play a pivotal role in strategic considerations, regional economic growth, strengthening connectivity between major economic centers and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development. The project will also generate approximately 80 Lakhs person-days of direct and indirect employment, and will open new avenues of growth, development and prosperity in surrounding regions.
On January 1, 2026, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Prime minister Narendra Modi has added a railway component in the Gohpur-Numaligarh twin tube underwater tunnel project. “Prime Minister has proposed to include the provision of railways in this twin tube underwater tunnel project”.The tunnel will be strategically important as the area is close to Arunachal Pradesh which shares a border with China. Sarma on Saturday while addressing a rally said, “Prime minister before coming to Assam has announced this project for Assam.”
Prime minister Narendra Modi was in Assam on Saturday.
