Cabinet approves ₹22,864 crore greenfield high-speed corridor from Shillong to Silchar

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of a 166.80 km Greenfield High-Speed Corridor between Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya and Panchgram near Silchar in Assam under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), at a total capital cost of ₹22,864 crore.

The corridor, part of National Highway-06, will comprise 144.80 km in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam. It will improve connectivity between Guwahati and Silchar while enhancing access to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam.

"The development of this corridor will improve the connectivity... with substantially reduced travel distance and travel time," the government said.

The proposed access-controlled expressway will also support the development of industries in Meghalaya as it passes through key cement and coal production zones. The project is expected to promote tourism by connecting major scenic destinations across the region, with improved access to Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar airports.

Once completed, the corridor will integrate with major transport arteries such as NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, NH-37, and several state highways. It will traverse through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, and the Cachar district in Assam.

“This corridor will cater to the national and international tourists coming from well-connected Guwahati Airport, Shillong Airport, Silchar Airport (via existing NH-06) connecting Guwahati to Silchar. This would connect scenic places of tourist attraction in the North-East and promote tourism,” according to an official readout.

The project, part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, is expected to generate approximately 74 lakh direct and 93 lakh indirect man-days of employment.

The civil cost of the project is estimated at ₹12,087 crore, while ₹3,503 crore has been allocated for land acquisition.

With an estimated annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 19,000 to 20,000 passenger car units (PCUs) in FY25, the corridor is poised to become a key infrastructure asset for the region, the statement said.