Rs61500 Crore Highway Corridor to Connect Siliguri Guwahati and Shillong
A major highway infrastructure push is set to strengthen connectivity across the Northeast, with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announcing plans for a 630-km highway corridor connecting Siliguri with Guwahati and Shillong.
The proposed project is estimated to cost around ₹61,500 crore and is expected to combine new greenfield highway stretches with upgrades to existing roads. The development is aimed at improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time across key cities in the Northeast.
630-Km Corridor to Strengthen Northeast Connectivity
According to the report, the first major section will cover approximately 400 km between Siliguri and Guwahati, involving an estimated investment of ₹30,000 crore. The alignment for this section is currently awaiting approval.
The corridor is also strategically significant because it will improve connectivity through the Siliguri corridor, popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, which provides a crucial road link to the Northeast, Rs61500 Crore Highway Corridor to Connect Siliguri Guwahati and Shillong.
Another section will connect Jorabat near Guwahati with Barapani in Shillong. The proposed greenfield highway is expected to reduce the existing distance from around 100 km to 66 km, while travel time could fall from approximately 2.5 hours to one hour.
Shillong–Silchar Highway to Cut Travel Time
The third component is a 165-km greenfield highway between Shillong and Silchar. The proposed route would reduce the existing distance from around 230 km to 165 km.
Travel time on this stretch is expected to reduce from nearly eight hours to around four hours, according to Gadkari's statement reported by The Times of India.
The work order for this section is expected to be issued in November.
Uttar Pradesh-Northeast High-Speed Connectivity
Alongside the 630-km corridor, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also initiated an expressway connectivity project between Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and Siliguri.
Once these projects are developed, they are expected to create a high-speed highway connection between Uttar Pradesh and the Northeast, improving road access for passengers, businesses and freight movement.
The broader infrastructure push could also support economic activity by improving connectivity between major urban centres, industrial areas and logistics routes across the region.
Key Project Highlights Rs61500 Crore Highway Corridor to Connect Siliguri Guwahati and Shillong
Investment: ₹61,500 crore
Corridor length: 630 km
Siliguri–Guwahati: Around 400 km
Jorabat–Barapani: Distance expected to fall from 100 km to 66 km
Shillong–Silchar: 165-km greenfield highway
UP–Northeast link: Gorakhpur–Siliguri expressway connectivity planned
The proposed highway network represents a significant infrastructure development for the Northeast, with shorter travel times and improved regional connectivity at the centre of the plan.
Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar
Published by: Griha Realty
Source: The Times of India
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