India's Northeast Defence Infrastructure Receives Major Boost with Dual Projects
In a significant move to enhance defence preparedness and connectivity in the northeastern region, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two critical infrastructure projects. The first involves constructing India's inaugural underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river, while the second saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the region's pioneering Emergency Landing Facility on a national highway in Assam.
Strategic Emergency Landing Facility Inaugurated by PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic landing at the Emergency Landing Facility located on National Highway 37 at Moran in Dibrugarh district. He arrived aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, marking a milestone in India's defence capabilities. Following this, several frontline IAF fighter aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi, and Tejas models, demonstrated their prowess with precision landings during an air show. This exhibition highlighted India's growing air power and operational readiness in the strategically sensitive region.
The ELF is positioned merely 300 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China, serving as a strategic and multi-functional runway for IAF fighter jets and transport aircraft. This facility will significantly strengthen defence logistics and disaster response capabilities in the area.
In a post on social media platform X after the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi expressed immense pride, stating, "From a strategic point of view and during times of natural disasters, this facility is of great importance." Addressing BJP workers in Guwahati later, he emphasized the transformation of the region's infrastructure, noting, "When I landed on a highway instead of a runway, it was history in the making. There was a time when the northeast was known only for worn-out roads. That was then. Today, these highways are not just for vehicles, they also serve as runways for fighter aircraft."
He further added, "This is not just a landing facility but evidence that new Bharat is preparing in every way for its security."
Groundbreaking Underwater Road-Cum-Rail Tunnel Approved
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared the construction of India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river. This project, with an approved budget of Rs 18,662 crore, represents only the second such facility globally, following China's Taihu Lake tunnel.
The ambitious project includes:
- A four-lane greenfield highway connecting Gohpur on NH-15 on the north bank of the Brahmaputra to Numaligarh on NH-715 on the southern bank.
- A 15.79-kilometer-long tunnel running beneath the river, featuring provisions for railway infrastructure within one of its tubes.
- Strategic integration with existing railway sections, including the Rangia-Mukongselek line on the Gohpur side and the Furkating-Mariani loop line on the Numaligarh side.
Located less than 200 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China, this underwater tunnel is expected to play a pivotal role in strategic military considerations while dramatically improving connectivity across Assam and the broader northeastern region.
Broader Context of India's Security Infrastructure Drive
These two projects form part of India's comprehensive security infrastructure initiative in the northeastern region. Other significant developments include:
- The Arunachal Frontier Highway, a 1,748-kilometer stretch running parallel to the LAC from Bomdila in the west to Kibithoo in the east, with an estimated cost of Rs 42,000 crore.
- The Sela Tunnel and upgraded Sela Pass Road, which now ensure all-weather access to Tawang, reshaping connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh.
Upon completion, the underwater tunnel project will not only enhance strategic defence capabilities but also drive regional economic growth. It will strengthen connectivity between major economic centers, open new avenues for trade and industrial development, and integrate remote villages into the national mainstream, thereby boosting tourism and agriculture in the region.
The simultaneous advancement of both the underwater tunnel and the emergency landing facility underscores India's commitment to fortifying its northeastern borders while promoting sustainable development and connectivity in this strategically vital area.
