Cabinet approves Rs 22,864 Cr Shillong-Silchar highway project
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday, has approved the development of a 166.80 km greenfield high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam. The project will be executed on a hybrid annuity mode at an estimated total cost of Rs 22,864 crore.
Project details and scope
The proposed high-speed corridor will span a total of 166.80 km, of which 144.80 km lies in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greenlit the proposal for the development, maintenance, and management of this four-lane greenfield access-controlled highway.
An official statement from the government highlighted that the corridor will significantly improve connectivity between Guwahati and Silchar, reducing travel distance and time while enhancing logistics efficiency across the country. The corridor will also improve access to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam.
Economic and regional impact
The project will spur economic development, particularly in the industrial sectors of Meghalaya, as the highway passes through regions known for cement and coal production. The improved connectivity will also benefit tourists, with better access to scenic locations across the Northeast, including those accessible via Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar airports.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media on the broader impact, noting, "The development of this corridor will improve the connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam from mainland and Guwahati, with substantially reduced distance and travel time."
Boosting inter-city and inter-state connectivity
The corridor will enhance inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar, cutting down congestion on the existing NH-06 and boosting the transport infrastructure in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. This strategic project will also improve connectivity between key cities like Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala, ultimately driving regional economic growth.
Employment generation and socio-economic development
The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. According to the official statement, the project will create 74 lakh direct man-days of employment and 93 lakh indirect man-days. The development of the highway is aligned with the government's vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, contributing to both infrastructure development and the socio-economic progress of the Northeast.
(PTI Inputs)