News Desk: The Central government has finally given in-principle permission to construct the strategic tunnel road under the mighty Brahmaputra river. This is the first time that India will be constructing an under river tunnel.
The tunnel will be longer than the underwater tunnel built by China below the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu province. The proposed tunnel will be strategically important as it will ease the connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It will be very useful for the delivery of military equipment, troops, and ammunition, etc.
A senior official of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd said that construction of the 14.85 Km long tunnel will begin in December. The construction will be in three phases.
He assured that various safety features have been encompassed in the design to prevent water from entering the tunnel.
The 4-lane tunnel which is close to the China border will have a ventilation system, fire service system, emergency exits, drainage systems, and footpaths. The army had proposed the government to consider building tunnel roads as bridges can be targeted by enemy forces during war.
The permission for building the under river tunnel comes in the midst of the rising tension between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Image Source: Internet