Guwahati: The Union Cabinet is expected to take a major infrastructure decision on Friday, with approval anticipated for an ambitious Rs 18,600-crore road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in poll-bound Assam.
According to reports, the proposal is set to be cleared at one of the last Cabinet meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at South Block before operations shift to the new Secretariat complex.
The proposed tunnel will be the country’s first twin-tube underwater structure designed to accommodate both vehicular traffic and railway lines.
The strategic corridor will connect Gohpur on the north bank of the Brahmaputra with Numaligarh on the south, cutting travel time from nearly four hours at present to about 30–35 minutes.
Beyond easing civilian travel, the tunnel is expected to hold strategic significance given Assam’s proximity to international borders and the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck.” Officials note that faster movement of troops and logistics during emergencies is a key consideration behind the project.
The initiative forms part of the Centre’s broader push to enhance connectivity in the Northeast, which has seen an infrastructure boom over the past decade with road, rail, and bridge projects. Once completed, the Brahmaputra tunnel would rank among India’s largest underwater transport infrastructure projects.
The decision comes at a politically sensitive time, with Assam headed to elections. Observers note the project could provide a substantial developmental boost, transforming connectivity, trade, and defence preparedness in the region.