The Andhra Pradesh state government is planning to build a 3-km long underwater tunnel for vehicular traffic through the Krishna river in newly announced state capital Amaravati.
The tunnel is part of the detailed master plan for the upcoming capital city which envisages a ‘transparent’ tunnel to connect the administrative capital with Vijayawada, the Times of India reported.
It’s also reported that designers from Singapore have included underwater tunnel in the city’s master plan.
Currently, there are around 200 under-water tunnels in the world.
And if the AP government’s plan gets centre’s nod, it will be the first ever of its kind in India.
The government’s aim to built the tunnel is to attract tourism and let the people crossing the river get a glimpse of aquatic life.
Officials told TOI that an underwater tunnel costs less than an overbridge and they will go ahead with the project even if it costs more.
However, Andhra Pradesh is not the first state to mull the construction of an under-water tunnel. Union Shipping Ministry has already launched a feasibility study in West Bengal and Andaman Nicobar islands.
Feature image source: Wikimedia Commons
