In a significant move towards enhancing connectivity and economic development in Northeast India, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the development of a 166.80-kilometre Greenfield access-controlled high-speed corridor between Shillong and Silchar.
This ambitious infrastructure project, which carries a capital outlay of Rs 22,864 crore, is slated to bolster inter-state trade, logistics, and regional growth in one of India’s most ecologically rich yet infrastructure-starved zones. The strategic corridor, which connects Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam, will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). Of the total stretch, 144.80 kilometres falls in Meghalaya and the remaining 22.00 kilometres in Assam. This new alignment is expected to substantially cut travel time between Guwahati and Silchar, and enhance accessibility to remote northeastern states including Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur, apart from the Barak Valley.
Critically, the project fits into the broader framework of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aiming to fast-track India’s multimodal infrastructure network. It is anticipated to handle an average daily traffic volume of nearly 20,000 passenger car units by FY2025, easing pressure on the existing NH-06. More than just a transportation upgrade, the corridor is being seen as a catalyst for long-term socio-economic advancement, particularly for Meghalaya’s cement and coal industries, while also giving a thrust to tourism by improving connectivity to airports in Shillong, Guwahati and Silchar. The proposed route will traverse important districts such as Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West and East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, and Cachar in Assam. It is designed to seamlessly link with major national highways including NH-27 and NH-37, as well as several state highways, thereby integrating existing networks into a more cohesive transport ecosystem. This corridor will connect several semi-urban and rural hubs including Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Khlieriat, Ratachera and Kalain, offering a crucial lifeline to local economies.
Environmentally and socially, the project is aligned with sustainable development goals. By improving logistics efficiency and reducing vehicle idle time, the corridor is expected to contribute to lowering carbon emissions in the region. With over 74 lakh man-days of direct employment and an additional 93 lakh in indirect jobs expected to be generated, it is also a vital employment driver. The civil construction component alone is valued at Rs 12,087 crore, while land acquisition accounts for Rs 3,503 crore, reflecting a substantial public investment in regional equity and resilience. As Northeast India continues to assert its strategic and economic importance, the Shillong-Silchar express corridor emerges not only as a roadway project but a symbol of inclusivity, mobility, and long-term sustainability. With a vision to reduce regional disparities and anchor economic activity closer to the source, the project is poised to become a transformative chapter in India’s infrastructure journey.
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