Approval for Shillong-Silchar Highway Project Expected Soon.

The Centre is set to approve the construction of a 160 km greenfield high-speed corridor connecting Shillong and Silchar, reducing travel time between the two cities to just four hours. The Rs. 25,000 crore project is expected to be taken up for cabinet approval on Wednesday, sources revealed.

Part of the Bharatmala programme initiated in 2017, the four-lane highway will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Northeast, enhancing connectivity between Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura. It will also facilitate quicker movement of defence forces in the region.

This new corridor will serve as an alternative to the existing NH-6, which has deteriorated along various stretches, particularly in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills. The new highway is designed to tackle commuting challenges, especially during the monsoon season when landslides and poor road conditions disrupt travel.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously mentioned that the vision behind the project is to enable day-trip travel between Guwahati and Silchar. The project is expected to bolster economic growth by improving road conditions and ensuring smoother transport of freight and passengers.

The new alignment for the highway was chosen due to technical challenges in expanding the current route. The proposed highway aims to streamline travel and provide a solution to current commuting difficulties in the region.

ET