CCEA approves ₹18,662 crore Gohpur–Numaligarh corridor with India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a ₹18,662 crore four-lane Gohpur–Numaligarh corridor in Assam, including a 15.79-km road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra, on 13 February 2026.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a four-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam on 13 February 2026, at a capital cost of ₹18,662 crore on EPC mode. The 33.7-km project includes a 15.79-km twin-tube road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra, with railway infrastructure in one of the tubes. The government said it will be India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and the second in the world. At present the 240-km trip between the two points takes about six hours via the Kaliabhomora bridge near Silghat, passing Kaziranga National Park. The project will benefit Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other northeastern states.
Key facts
- Approved
- 13 February 2026 by CCEA (announced 14 February)
- Corridor
- Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715), Assam
- Cost and mode
- ₹18,662 crore; EPC
- Length
- 33.7 km, including a 15.79-km tunnel
- First
- India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel; second in the world
- Current route
- 240 km, about 6 hours via Silghat
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Between which two places in Assam will the road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra, approved in February 2026, provide connectivity?
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Correct answer: A — Gohpur and Numaligarh
The corridor runs from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715.
What is the approved capital cost of the Gohpur–Numaligarh corridor with the Brahmaputra tunnel?
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Correct answer: B — ₹18,662 crore
The CCEA approved the project at a total capital cost of ₹18,662 crore on EPC mode.
Consider the following statements about the Gohpur–Numaligarh project: 1. Its tunnel under the Brahmaputra is about 15.79 km long, within a total project length of 33.7 km. 2. Both tubes of the tunnel will carry railway lines, with no road traffic. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. It is a twin-tube road tunnel with two lanes in each tube, and railway infrastructure is provided in one of the tubes.