Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the government’s dedication to enhancing connectivity in the Northeast by approving a four-lane, access-controlled Greenfield corridor between Gohpur and Numaligarh. This corridor will include India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river. PM Modi hailed the project on social media as a significant step towards improving regional linkages, reducing logistics costs, and fostering economic growth in Assam and the entire Northeast.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Assam for various programs in Dibrugarh and Guwahati highlighted the renewed focus on infrastructure-driven development in the region. The events he participated in underscored strategic, economic, and connectivity initiatives aimed at integrating the Northeast more closely with the national growth trajectory.
The Gohpur–Numaligarh Greenfield corridor is envisioned as a high-speed, access-controlled highway that will cut travel time between northern and southern Assam. The innovative underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra is set to ensure seamless, all-weather connectivity and bolster multimodal transport infrastructure in the region.
The project is anticipated to provide a significant boost to industries, trade, and tourism, particularly in Upper Assam and neighboring states. Enhanced connectivity to Numaligarh, a key industrial hub, is expected to streamline goods movement, alleviate transportation bottlenecks, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
The corridor’s role in advancing the Centre’s ‘Act East’ policy by enhancing connectivity within the Northeast and with neighboring countries is crucial. Additionally, it is projected to create substantial employment opportunities during construction and in related sectors post-completion. The government, under PM Modi’s leadership, has prioritized substantial infrastructure development in the Northeast over the past decade, focusing on highways, bridges, railways, and airports.
The recent Cabinet approval, along with PM Modi’s visit to Assam, signifies a continued effort to unlock the region’s economic potential and position it as a significant contributor to India’s long-term growth.
