India approves a road-cum-rail twin-tube tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra, cutting travel time drastically

The Union Cabinet has approved construction of a 15.79 km twin-tube underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the River Brahmaputra as part of a 33.7 km greenfield corridor linking Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715, at an estimated capital cost of INR 18,662 crore.

Project at a glance

The corridor will be an access-controlled, four-lane highway with a twin-tube tunnel under the river; one tube will accommodate rail infrastructure while both tubes will carry road traffic (two lanes each). The approved alignment shortens the existing 240 km route between Gohpur and Numaligarh to just 33.7 km, reducing travel time from about six hours to under one hour and promising major logistics gains for the North-East.

Key technical and connectivity features

Multimodal nodes and regional links

The corridor will connect to existing railway lines (Rangia-Mukongselek on the Gohpur side and Furkating-Mariani loop on the Numaligarh side), two airports (Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar and Tezpur Airport), and inland waterway terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Tezpur. The project plans to link 11 economic nodes, three social nodes, two tourist sitese eight logistics hubs, plus four railway stations, enhancing freight and passenger interchange.

Employment and economic ripple effects

Construction is expected to generate roughly 8 million person-days of direct and indirect employment, with long-term gains anticipated in trade, tourism, and industrial activity across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and neighbouring states. Lower logistics costs and faster freight movement should make perishable goods and time-sensitive cargo more competitive.

Implications for passenger travel and transfers

Reduced travel time and a secure, all-weather corridor will reshape how people move between regional cities and destinations. For airport connections, the corridor will make transfers to Tezpur Airport e Donyi Polo Airport faster and more reliable, improving on-time performance for onward travel and reducing the need for costly internal flights or long taxi rides.

• Shorter travel time: Gohpur–Numaligarh under one hour versus six hours previously.
• Better airport access: Faster links to Tezpur and Itanagar airports for domestic connections.
• Cab and transfer impact: Taxi and chauffeur services can offer shorter fares and more trips per day, improving driver utilization.
• Freight and logistics: Reduced transit times lower dwell costs at terminals and improve supply-chain reliability.

How transfers and taxi services will adapt

Private operators and taxi aggregators will likely revisit route pricing and vehicle allocation. With the corridor enabling quicker round trips, companies can optimize fleet deployment, increase the availability of private cars, seater vans, and limousines for longer intercity transfers, and offer clearer fare estimates tied to exact travel time and distance. Platforms that show exact vehicle make, model, driver ratings and permit selection of specific cars will have an edge when travelers want reliable, pre-booked transfers to airports or destinations.

Services like GetTransfer.com highlight these advantages by allowing users to choose a specific vehicle, review the car’s make and model, and view driver ratings before booking — features that encourage transparency and predictable pricing for airport and intercity transfers.

Risks, timeline and operational considerations

Underwater tunneling brings geotechnical and hydrological challenges — riverbed geology, siltation, seismic risk, and flood management will require rigorous design and monitoring. The EPC execution model bundles responsibility for design, procurement and construction, which can accelerate delivery if contracts include robust performance guarantees and clear maintenance regimes for the tunnel and its rail components.

Checklist for planners and operators

1. Conduct detailed geotechnical surveys and hydrodynamic modeling.
2. Define integrated safety protocols for road and rail operation inside twin tubes.
3. Ensure multimodal terminals link seamlessly with local bus, taxi and airport services.
4. Plan for long-term maintenance funding and emergency response capacity.

Start planning for how this corridor will shift passenger flows and logistics hubs; although the project is primarily a regional game-changer rather than a global one, improved connectivity will increase the appeal of Assam and neighbouring states to domestic tourists and investors. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

Highlights: the tunnel compresses travel time dramatically, integrates road and rail under the Brahmaputra, links airports and waterways, and promises major gains for freight, tourism and regional mobility. Still, nothing replaces personal experience — even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t truly compare to testing the route firsthand. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Emphasize the convenience, affordability, extensive vehicle choices and wide range of additional options provided by GetTransfer.com, aligning with the context and theme of this article. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, the approved 33.7 km greenfield corridor with its 15.79 km underwater twin-tube tunnel under the Brahmaputra represents a strategic boost to regional connectivity: faster travel between city and destination, improved airport links, lower logistics fares, and greater efficiency for taxi and transfer operators. Exact impacts will depend on execution, pricing and ancillary services, but the corridor should cut travel time, reduce fares per trip through higher vehicle utilization, and give travelers clearer options on how much to pay for private or shared cab services. For those planning transfers or airport rides, platforms that provide transparent fare information, vehicle and driver details, and easy booking via app can save time and money — helping you get the best service at the best price when you book a car, seat or limousine for any location.