Guwahati: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved the construction of the ambitious 4-lane underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra River between Gohpur (NH-15) on the North Bank and Numaligarh (NH-715) on the South Bank in Assam, with strict environmental safeguards to ensure that no harm comes to wildlife or their habitat in the ecologically sensitive region.
The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) will implement the project, which involves the use of 13.77 hectares of forest land in a critical tiger corridor connecting the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Golaghat district, along with 61.5028 hectares of non-forest land within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Sonitpur district.
The tunnel aims to bridge the gap in interconnectivity between the northern and southern corridors of Assam, while simultaneously safeguarding the Kaziranga eco-sensitive zone.
Presently, there is no direct connectivity between the Gohpur and Numaligarh sides of the project corridor. The existing national highways—NH15 on the Gohpur side and NH715 on the Numaligarh side—run parallel across the river, with commuters relying primarily on the Tezpur-based Kalia Bhomora Bridge or the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge for crossing.
The Kalia Bhomora Bridge is located approximately 133 km from Gohpur and 90 km from Numaligarh. Consequently, the journey between the two points stretches over 223 km and takes nearly six hours. With the construction of the proposed tunnel and approach roads, this travel distance will be cut to about 35 km, slashing the travel time to just 30 minutes.
The tunnel will also reduce vehicular pressure on the Kaziranga National Park section of NH-715, which presently endures high traffic volume, adversely impacting the park’s flora and fauna. By diverting traffic through the Brahmaputra, the tunnel is expected to mitigate disturbance to wildlife.
Additional measures such as road safety systems, signage, barricades, crash barriers, noise barriers, and other infrastructure will further minimize the risks of human-animal conflict.
The project site includes alluvial deposits and grasslands that serve as crucial wildlife corridors, enabling movement for long-ranging species such as elephants, rhinos, and water buffalo.
The tunnel will intersect a designated tiger corridor, with a planned section of 3.06 km in length and 45 metres in width occupying 13.77 hectares. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve holds the most viable tiger population in northeast India, and the area is regarded as vital for species connectivity and conservation.
The proposal was reviewed and recommended during the 84th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, having already received clearance from the Chief Wildlife Warden, the State Board for Wildlife, and the State Government. However, the NTCA has laid down rigorous conditions to ensure protection of the wildlife habitat.
The NTCA has mandated minimal tree felling and emphasized the implementation of stringent environmental safeguards. These include scientific analysis of potential impacts on soil stability, groundwater flow, sediment dynamics, and seismic vulnerability. Tunnel excavation debris and effluents must be strictly managed and treated, with zero discharge permitted into the Brahmaputra River or any surrounding wetlands.
Construction must incorporate acoustic barriers, dust suppression systems, and low-intensity downward-shielded lighting to minimize light spill into adjacent habitats. Noise and vibration from machinery and explosives must be controlled, with digging activity limited to periods when animals are less active.
Construction camps, vehicle access, and material stockpiling are prohibited in close proximity to the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve boundary and wildlife corridor. Furthermore, sourcing of construction material from protected areas is strictly forbidden.
All access and service roads must avoid wildlife-sensitive areas, and pathways for safe animal crossings must remain open or be constructed where necessary.
A comprehensive Scientific Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation and Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan must be prepared within three months following the deposit of a corpus fund into the Chief Wildlife Warden’s account.
The NTCA also requires that an annual compliance certificate on all stipulated conditions be submitted by the user agency to the State Chief Wildlife Warden, who in turn must submit the report to the Central Government.
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