New Delhi: In a significant push for infrastructure development in the North Eastern region, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its nod to the development of a 4-lane greenfield access-controlled high-speed corridor connecting Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam.
The ambitious project, spanning a total length of 166.80 km, will be developed, maintained, and managed at a total capital cost of ₹22,864 Crore under the Hybrid Annuity Mode. This major infrastructure project will be handled by National Highway Infrastructure Deveropment Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
NHIDCL is a fully owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. NHIDCL designs, builds, operates, maintains and upgrades National Highways and Strategic Roads including interconnecting roads in parts of the country which share international boundaries with neighboring countries.
This landmark project marks the “First High-Speed Corridor in the North Eastern Region” of India and is poised to be a crucial milestone in developing the region as a gateway for the Government’s “Act East Policy.”
The approved corridor will see 144.80 km traversing through four districts of Meghalaya – Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills – while the remaining 22 km will fall under the Cachar district in Assam.
Once completed, the high-speed corridor is expected to significantly reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar to approximately 245 km, bringing down the current journey time from about 9 hours to a mere 5 hours. This translates to a remarkable 25% reduction in travel distance and an estimated 100% increase in average speed.
Beyond drastically improving travel efficiency, the project is also anticipated to generate around 137 lakh man-days of direct and indirect employment, providing a substantial boost to the local economy.
The government envisions this high-speed connectivity as a catalyst for economic development across the North East. By providing seamless and faster access, the corridor will spur growth in the state capitals of Manipur, Tripura, and Mizoram. Furthermore, it is expected to improve the logistical efficiency of traffic originating from Siliguri and Guwahati towards Silchar and beyond, streamlining trade and transportation.
The enhanced connectivity will also augment the tourism potential of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura, making these picturesque states more accessible to both domestic and international travelers. The project will also improve user convenience by connecting important places and district headquarters situated along its alignment.
Strategically, this high-speed corridor holds vital importance for border connectivity, enhancing the operational efficiency for border security agencies and facilitating smoother cross-border trade.
This approval underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure development in the North Eastern region, recognizing its strategic importance and immense potential for economic growth and regional integration. The Mawlyngkhung-Panchgram high-speed corridor is poised to usher in a new era of connectivity and prosperity for Meghalaya, Assam, and the wider North Eastern landscape.