Ministry of Defence to fund 20% of Numaligarh-Gohpur underwater tunnel project, says Assam CM

Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the Ministry of Defense will fund 20 percent of the Numaligarh-Gohpur underwater tunnel project.

"In this project, 20% of the fund will be borne by the Ministry of Defence, and the remaining will be funded by the National Highway Authority of India or the Indian government," Himanta Biswa Sarma stated during a press conference.

CM Sarma further mentioned that the financing ratio has been decided upon because the defence will also use the route to monitor both areas and to make it more economical.

Himanta Biswa Sarma stated earlier in June of this year, "I had a concept that there are multiple bridges over the river; can we have a tunnel underwater? We are aware of the Jammu and Kashmir Atal Tunnel, which is situated between mountains. I wondered if it would be possible to build a tunnel where cars and railroads could travel beneath the Brahmaputra River."

Sarma further stated, “We decided it will come between Numaligarh and Gohpur, where both rails and vehicles will move. The tender for DPR will open on July 4. God willing, during my tenure as the chief minister, we will be able to start the work on the tunnel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared the project. The two banks of the Brahmaputra, North and South, will come closer.”

At an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 crore, this mammoth first underwater tunnel project will be constructed between Numaligarh and Gohpur.