First High Speed Cooridor for Northeast

New Delhi: The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered a strong and strategic response to the government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammad Yunus, by approving a major high-speed corridor project on Wednesday. The corridor will connect Shillong in Meghalaya to Silchar in Assam, significantly enhancing connectivity in the Northeast. This move came after Mohammad Yunus referred to India’s seven northeastern states as a “landlocked region” while advocating for stronger trade relations with China.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister has approved a proposal for the development, maintenance and management of a 166.80 km, four-lane greenfield access-controlled highway on National Highway No. 06, connecting Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam. The project, which will be executed on a hybrid annuity model, carries a total capital cost of Rs 22,864 crore.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the project will navigate the challenging terrain of Northeast India and involve the construction of 19 major bridges, 153 minor bridges, 326 culverts, 22 underpasses, 26 overpasses, and 34 viaducts. It is expected to be completed within three years.
This proposed greenfield high-speed corridor will significantly improve the traffic flow between Guwahati and Silchar, reducing travel time and distance. Additionally, it will enhance connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam, while also contributing to greater logistics efficiency across the nation.
The Shillong–Silchar corridor will significantly enhance connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya, spurring economic development—particularly in Meghalaya’s cement and coal-producing regions.
According to an official statement, the corridor will serve both national and international tourists arriving via the well-connected Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar airports (through existing NH-06), linking Guwahati to Silchar and unlocking access to the scenic tourist destinations of the Northeast.
This vital infrastructure project will strengthen inter-city connectivity among Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar. It will pass through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, as well as the Cachar district in Assam. It is expected to ease traffic on the existing NH-06 and support the development of transport infrastructure under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Upon completion, the corridor will play a pivotal role in regional economic integration, enhancing connectivity between key northeastern cities including Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala.
The project aligns with the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening infrastructure, generating employment, and fostering socio-economic development across Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Currently, connectivity between Guwahati and Silchar is primarily facilitated via the East-West Corridor (NH-27) or the existing two-lane NH-06 route through Jorabat–Jowai–Ratacherra. However, the Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar route, being the shortest, remains the most preferred. The proposed project aims to provide high-speed connectivity along this corridor, serving as a critical gateway to the states of Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura.
The existing NH-06 between Shillong and Silchar, with its two-lane configuration and paved shoulders, faces heavy congestion due to urban density and traffic volume. This new project proposes an optimized greenfield alignment that will ease congestion, improve access to key highways, and reduce travel time and transportation costs.
The corridor will seamlessly integrate with major national highways—including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37—enhancing connectivity to Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khliehriat, Ratacherra, Umkiang, and Kalain.