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Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
When it comes to megastructures, the United Arab Emirates doesn’t hold back. The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, is a clear example of this. Other ambitious projects include a Moon-shaped resort in Dubai and One Za’abeel, which is home to the largest cantilevered building ever built.
However, none of these projects compares to the visionary structure proposed by National Advisor Bureau Limited, a company based in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. It plans to construct a massive underwater tunnel that would span 1,200 miles and connect two port areas in the UAE and India.
The project is still in the concept stage. However, it stands out for its ambitious scope and the intriguing possibilities it would create in the region.
A major megastructure. The National Advisor Bureau wants to build a vast undersea tunnel that would link the UAE with other countries in the Middle East and India. More specifically, the project is envisioned to connect two coastal points nearly 1,200 miles apart: Fujairah in the UAE and Mumbai in Western India.
The tunnel. The underwater infrastructure would run beneath the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Oman. To illustrate the tunnel its envision, the National Advisor Bureau previously created a series of videos and infographics.
The proposal consists of two concrete ducts running parallel to each other, submerged but suspended and moored to a series of floating structures. An alternative option is to anchor them to the seafloor with secure fastenings.
Designers intend to keep the tunnels at a depth that avoids interference with maritime traffic, ensuring they’re safe from harsh environmental conditions. The pontoons would be spaced apart sufficiently to allow surface ships to navigate the Indian Ocean. Additionally, engineers would construct the tubes to resist saltwater corrosion and withstand pressure.
Multiple purposes. The tunnels would transport passengers, tourists, and workers traveling between the Emirates and India. They would also facilitate the movement of goods and strategic supplies. According to infographics, each tunnel would consist of four main compartments: one designated for trains, one for goods, and two lower compartments dedicated to the flow of oil, gas, and water.
The project’s goal is to export oil from Fujairah to India via the pipeline, while also importing excess water from the Narmada River north of Mumbai to the UAE. The project proponents argue that the Narmada typically overflows during the monsoon season. There’s also potential for the oil or gas to be routed beyond India to countries such as China or Pakistan. Another possibility is to establish a floating fuel station to supply vessels operating between the pontoons.
The train. The project authors say that a vacuum would be generated inside the tunnel to enable the use of ultra-fast trains. These trains would be capable of reaching speeds of 370 to 620 mph. This ambitious goal comes as Chinese maglev trains aim for speeds of 387 mph, while the country aims for 621 mph speeds for the modern Hyperloop.
The distance from Mumbai to Fujairah is around 1,200 miles. As such, the journey could be completed in just two to four hours. The company is also considering an alternative route between Fujairah and the port of Gwadar in Pakistan, which could be traveled in one hour using the underwater tunnel.
Project status. The project is still at the concept stage. The idea was introduced a few years ago by the National Advisor Bureau, alongside other high-profile projects. The proposal for an underwater tunnel began gaining attention around 2018 as a concept and managed to attract interest from international media.
Since then, information has diminished. One recent update came in 2021 when #Swajya magazine and India Infrahub reported that Abdulla Alsehhi, director of the National Advisor Bureau, defended the advantages of the project at a strategic conference focused on UAE-India relations. He emphasized the potential of the underwater project to enhance bilateral trade between the two nations.
Image | Christoph Schulz
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