JORHAT, Nov 27 - The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-North East Institute of Science Technology (CSIR-NEIST) here has been entrusted with the responsibility to conduct a site-specific geophysical investigation of India�s first underwater tunnel to be constructed across the Brahmaputra.
An official of CSIR-NEIST informed this newspaper that the US global construction giant Louis Berger, which has been assigned the job of constructing a four-lane tunnel under the Brahmaputra linking Gohpur (NH-52) with Numaligarh (NH-37) by the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited), has engaged CSIR-NEIST to carry out the site-specific in-depth geophysical investigation besides a seismic hazard assessment of the ambitious project.
It may be mentioned that Louis Berger was engaged by NHIDCL to prepare the feasibility report for the proposed tunnel under the Brahmaputra.
In the wake of rising military tensions and recent standoffs with China, the proposed underwater tunnel has attached a mounting strategic significance to this project as it will reduce the distance to Arunachal Pradesh and will evolve as an alternative corridor to cater to the vital military supplies and further give a boost to Indian military logistics, the official observed.
The said project was touted to be of great national importance given India�s growing security concerns in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India in particular, the official further stated.
Dr G Narahari Sastry, Director CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, hailing the development, stated that �the institute has dared to brave all odds to take up this challenge to carry forward with this highly ambitious project�. A team of scientists and technical staff from the Geo Sciences and Technology Division (GSTD) of CSIR-NEIST is gearing up to materialise the task, the Director said.
The key members of the team are Dr Santanu Baruah, principal investigator, Dr Manoj Kumar Phukan, co-principal investigator, and Dr Bijit Kr Choudhury, co-principal investigator, he stated.
Dr Sastry mentioned that GSTD has built up a high level of competence both in terms of infrastructure and human resource skills in earthquake seismology studies over the past three decades.
The Director said the GSTD of CSIR-NEIST also has a high level of expertise ranging from earthquake monitoring to site-specific seismic feasibility studies, earthquake precursory studies and is specialized in geodynamics, seismic hazard and vulnerability studies.
Dr Saurabh Baruah, Chief Scientist of CSIR-NEIST, observed that the high rate of sedimentation and erosive power of the Brahmaputra throws up many challenges to any kind of engineering construction on the river, but the CSIR-NEIST will rise to the occasion.
