Shillong-Silchar 4-Lane Corridor: Centre announces Rs 22,864 crore highway project to boost Northeast connectivity

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced that the Union Cabinet has cleared a major highway project worth Rs 22,864 crore to boost connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam. 

The greenfield high-speed corridor project will involve the construction of a 166.80-kilometre, four-lane, access-controlled national highway from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam under the hybrid annuity mode. Of the total stretch, 144.80 kilometres will lie in Meghalaya and 22 kilometres in Assam, according to an official statement.  

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for the development, maintenance and management of four-lane greenfield access-controlled 166.80 km of National Highway No 06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on hybrid annuity mode...at a total capital cost of Rs 22,864 crore," it added.

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Highway to ease Guwahati-Silchar travel, boost links to Barak Valley

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs said the highway will benefit traffic between Guwahati and Silchar and strengthen links to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam’s Barak Valley region.  

Officials noted that the corridor will play a critical role in regional development, particularly in Meghalaya’s cement and coal-producing zones. It will also support national and international tourism by offering improved access to scenic destinations via the existing NH-06 and nearby airports in Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar.  

The project will traverse through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam. It will help decongest the existing NH-06 and bolster infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.  

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Corridor to link key Northeast routes 

The new highway will connect with major roads like NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, making it easier to travel between key places such as Guwahati, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khliehriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, and Kalain.  

Once ready, the Shillong–Silchar corridor is expected to boost economic growth and improve travel between cities like Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala. The project also supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission by creating jobs and helping the overall development of Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura.