New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the development of a significant 166.80 km four-lane Greenfield Access Controlled National Highway (NH-6) connecting Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam. This high-speed corridor project will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and entails a total capital investment of ₹22,864 crore. The majority of the project’s length, 144.80 km, will traverse Meghalaya, with the remaining 22.00 km located in Assam.
This proposed Greenfield high-speed corridor is anticipated to significantly improve the transportation service level for traffic moving between Guwahati and Silchar. The development of this crucial infrastructure will enhance connectivity to the states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur, as well as the Barak Valley region of Assam, from mainland India and Guwahati. This will be achieved through substantially reduced travel distances and times, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the nation’s logistics efficiency.
Furthermore, the corridor is expected to improve connectivity between the states of Assam and Meghalaya, thereby spurring economic development, particularly in Meghalaya’s cement and coal production areas, as the route passes through these resource-rich regions. This infrastructure will also cater to both national and international tourists arriving via the well-connected airports in Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar (through existing NH-06), linking various scenic tourist attractions across the Northeast and promoting tourism in the region.
This critical infrastructure project will enhance inter-city connectivity between major northeastern hubs such as Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar, traversing through the Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills districts in Meghalaya, and the Cachar district in Assam. It aims to reduce congestion on the existing NH-06 and bolster transport infrastructure development in alignment with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The project alignment is strategically integrated with major transport corridors, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, ensuring seamless connectivity to key locations such as Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, and various other towns along the route.
Upon its completion, the Shillong – Silchar Corridor is projected to play a pivotal role in the regional economic growth of the Northeast, significantly improving connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl, and Agartala. The project aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by enhancing critical infrastructure while simultaneously generating substantial employment opportunities, estimated at 74 lakh direct and 93 lakh indirect man-days, and fostering overall socio-economic development in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. The estimated Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) for the fiscal year 2025 is projected to be between 19,000 and 20,000 Passenger Car Units (PCU).
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