New Delhi: The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening vital infrastructure across India’s challenging Northeast and Himalayan regions.
This commitment was highlighted in a high-level meeting chaired by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), on June 24, 2025, which focused on expediting mega infrastructure projects in states like Jharkhand, Sikkim, Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from central ministries, state governments, and project proponents, leveraged the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to facilitate inter-ministerial and state coordination, aiming for swift issue resolution.
A key project under review was the Kohima Bypass Road in Nagaland, being developed by NHIDCL under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). This crucial project aims to significantly decongest Kohima city, enhance intra- and inter-state connectivity, and foster trade, tourism, and regional integration in the Northeast.
Underscoring NHIDCL’s proactive approach, Dr. Krishan Kumar, the Managing Director of NHIDCL, is regularly visiting to oversee the progress of this vital infrastructure project and address any on-ground bottlenecks.
Dr. Kumar, a 2002 batch IAS officer, took charge as MD of NHIDCL on February 14, 2024, bringing extensive experience in handling large-scale infrastructure projects and disaster management. His leadership is seen as crucial for navigating the complex terrains and challenges inherent in these regions.
NHIDCL’s mandate specifically focuses on the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways in the hilly terrains of the North-East, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand. The Corporation acts as a specialized agency in high-altitude and border areas, consistently pushing the boundaries of engineering to create all-weather roads, tunnels, and bridges.
Beyond the Kohima Bypass, NHIDCL’s impressive portfolio in these regions includes significant undertakings like the Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir, a 12 km long tunnel (with a 6.4 km main tunnel) built at an altitude of over 8,652 feet, ensuring year-round connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was happy to open the project, recently and appreciated the efforts of NHIDCL.
The Zojila Tunnel Project, a strategic 13.14 km road tunnel in the Himalayas, is another testament to NHIDCL’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and strengthening border infrastructure. The organization is also involved in the longest bridge in India, a 19.28 km 4-lane bridge over the River Brahmaputra connecting Dhubri (Assam) and Phulbari (Meghalaya).
These projects, often requiring innovative engineering solutions to overcome challenging geographical conditions and extreme weather, are vital for the socio-economic development and enhanced infrastructure resilience of the Northeast and Himalayan regions. NHIDCL’s persistent efforts are not only improving accessibility and promoting trade and tourism but also bolstering defense capabilities in India’s strategically important border areas.