Centre Likely to Approve Shillong-Silchar Highway Project Today.

The Union government is expected to approve the construction of a ₹25,000 crore, 160 km greenfield high-speed corridor connecting Shillong and Silchar. The project, aimed at cutting travel time between the two cities to just four hours, may receive cabinet approval on Wednesday, sources said.

Originally conceived under the Bharatmala programme in 2017, the four-lane highway will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Northeast. It will enhance connectivity between Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura while also facilitating the swift movement of defense forces in the region.

The highway will serve as an alternative to NH-6, which faces severe deterioration, particularly in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma previously emphasized that the project would enable travelers to commute between Guwahati and Silchar within a day.

Officials noted that expanding the existing Shillong-Silchar highway poses technical challenges, making a new alignment the most viable option. The project is expected to provide a long-term solution to recurring connectivity issues, particularly disruptions caused by landslides on the Ratacherra stretch during monsoons. The improved corridor is also anticipated to boost economic activity by ensuring seamless movement of passengers and freight across the region.

ET