Modi Cabinet Approves ₹22,864 Cr Shillong-Silchar Highway :The Centre has cleared a ₹22,864 crore greenfield highway between Shillong and Silchar to improve connectivity, logistics, and regional growth in the Northeast.
In a major push to infrastructure development and regional connectivity in the Northeast, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the development of a 4-lane greenfield access-controlled national highway from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam.
The proposed high-speed corridor, to be constructed on a hybrid annuity mode, spans a total length of 166.80 kilometers and comes at an estimated capital cost of ₹22,864 crore. Of this, 144.80 km will pass through the hilly terrain of Meghalaya, while the remaining 22 km will fall within Assam’s Cachar district.
This ambitious infrastructure project is expected to significantly enhance surface connectivity between key northeastern states such as Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. By providing a direct and faster link between Shillong and Silchar, the corridor is poised to reduce both travel time and distance, thereby facilitating smoother movement of people and goods across the region.
According to an official statement released after the CCEA meeting, the Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor will serve as a crucial link connecting the Barak Valley region of Assam with Guwahati and the rest of mainland India. “The corridor will improve the level of service for traffic moving from Guwahati to Silchar and strengthen overall logistics efficiency in the region,” the statement noted.
Key Strategic Benefits
The highway is envisioned as part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan — a holistic initiative aimed at integrating infrastructure planning across ministries and departments to promote multimodal connectivity. Officials said the project will ease congestion on the existing NH-06, a heavily trafficked route that currently serves as a lifeline for inter-state transportation in the area.
More importantly, the new corridor will integrate seamlessly with major national transport routes, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37. This alignment will enhance connectivity for a number of towns and cities, including Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khliehriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, and Kalain.
Beyond transport efficiency, the government emphasized the socio-economic impact of the project. The corridor is expected to act as a catalyst for economic development in Meghalaya and Assam, especially in districts like Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and Cachar. These areas are rich in natural resources such as coal and limestone and have established industries, particularly in cement production.
“The new highway will enable faster and more cost-effective transport of industrial goods, spurring new investments and job creation,” the statement said. It added that better access to and from production hubs will support the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative aimed at making India self-reliant through robust domestic infrastructure and economic empowerment of local communities.
Tourism and Strategic Value
In addition to industrial benefits, the corridor is being positioned as a major asset for tourism. The improved connectivity will provide faster and safer access to scenic and culturally rich destinations across the Northeast. The highway will be well-linked with Guwahati Airport, Shillong Airport, and Silchar Airport via existing and new road alignments, thus serving both domestic and international tourists more efficiently.
“This will promote tourism and unlock the immense potential of the Northeast as a hub for eco-tourism and adventure tourism,” the official statement said.
Moreover, improved connectivity is likely to enhance inter-city travel between Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar — the three major urban centers of the region. It also strengthens the regional transport grid by linking to Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala, thereby facilitating better coordination between the Northeast and the mainland.
Background and Strategic Context
The Shillong–Silchar corridor is part of a broader effort by the central government to integrate the Northeast region more fully into the national economic and logistical framework. Over the past decade, a series of road, rail, and air connectivity projects have been undertaken to bridge the infrastructure gap in this strategically sensitive region.
In recent years, the government has emphasized the role of the Northeast not just as a frontier region, but as a vital gateway to Southeast Asia under the “Act East” policy. Improved infrastructure in the region is considered key to enhancing trade and connectivity with neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar.
With this latest approval, the Modi government reaffirms its commitment to unlocking the economic and strategic potential of the Northeast, while addressing long-standing connectivity bottlenecks and laying the foundation for inclusive development.
