From Bhupen Goswami
Guwahathi: Following tensions between India and China in the Galwan Valley, the central government has now started the preparatory work of building a long tunnel between the Brahmaputra River from China. The 15 km long tunnel Brahmaputra River project was approved by the Modi cabinet in this month. The four lane tunnel connecting NH-37 to NH-37 under the Brahmaputra River will further strengthen the connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh. According to high level sources of the central government, the special tunnel will be constructed from Gohpur to Numaligarh under the Brahmaputra River. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at Jorhat-North East Institute of Science and Technology is conducting a specific geophysical examination of a strategic tunnel under the Brahmaputra.
American construction giant Luis Berger has given the institute the responsibility to study for India’s first construction under the water tunnel. Gohpur Highway 52 under Brahmaputra River will be connected to Numaligarh Highway 37 in Upper Assam. It will be India’s best tunnel. The four-lane tunnel will enable vehicles to run at a speed of 70 to 80 kilometres per hour inside two tubes. The tunnel will be able to supply military vehicles, logistics and strategic goods to the border with Arunachal Pradesh. An official from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST) said that the centre has approved construction of a four lane tunnel to connect Gohpur NH-52 under brahmaputra river to Numaligarh NH-37 in upper Assam. The official also said that the increased military tension and recent stance with China has given an important strategic importance to the project as it will reduce the distance of Arunachal Pradesh.
It will also develop into an alternative corridor to meet vital military supplies and further boost Indian military logistics. For information, the project is of vital national importance, especially in view of India’s growing security concerns in the eastern Himalayas and the north-east. National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has given the green signal to global construction giant Louis Burger for the construction of an underwater tunnel across the river.
In this regard, Louis Berger has entrusted CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat with the responsibility. In addition to the seismic hazard assessment, the site will be examined in specific depths of geophysical. The tunnel will also have ventilation systems, lights for lights, fire files and drainage systems for air arrangements for passengers. However, at present, the official informed that a minimum cost of more than 5000 crore rupees has been planned. Official sources said, the project is planned to be finished within about 3 years. The government has planned to finish the work from this month to 2023. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes to launch the scheme next month. Three foreign companies will be made part of the work so that the work is completed at the earliest.
