The country's first underwater tunnel, longer than China, will be built under the Brahmaputra river

New delhi date. 14 July 2020, Tuesday

Talks between the army commanders are underway after a violent clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galvan Valley in eastern Ladakh, while the central government has stepped up an exercise to strengthen road transport from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. The Central Government has given in-principle approval to construct 14.85 km of tunnels under the Brahmaputra river. For the first time in the country, the tunnel under the river will be longer than the tunnel under Lake Taihu in eastern China.

The central government has given in-principle approval to a four-lane road tunnel under the Brahmaputra river to connect Gohpur (NH-54) to Numaligarh (NH-37) in Assam. It is learned that the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHAIDCL), a public undertaking of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the tunnel to be constructed under the river from a US company. The American Louis Berger Company has prepared a pre-feasibility report and DPR for the construction of a 14.85 km long tunnel under the Brahmaputra river.

The special feature of this tunnel will be that inside it, military vehicles and armed vehicles will be able to run at a speed of 80 km per hour. This tunnel could prove to be very important from the point of view of connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is learned that all the process of preparation of this tunnel has been completed and work on this tunnel will start in December.

A 10.79 km tunnel is being built in China

The length of the road transport tunnel under Lake Taihu in eastern China is 10.79 km. There will be only one tunnel under the Taihu Lake while the tunnel under the Brahmaputra River will have different routes to get in and out. Apart from that, several security fences are also being set up to prevent water from entering the tunnel.

The specialty of the tunnel

The construction of the 14 km long tunnel will be as difficult as the journey. In fact the air pressure in the underwater tunnel will be very low so in these circumstances ventilation system, fire fighting, lighting system and emergency exit facilities will also be provided for fresh air inside the tunnel.