The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (April 30) approved the construction of a 166.80 km long Greenfield Access-Controlled Highway corridor between Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya and Panchgram in Assam. The project, which will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), carries a total capital outlay of Rs 22,864 crore.
“The Union Cabinet has approved a high-speed corridor highway from Shillong to Silchar to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 22,864 crore,” said Union Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw.
#WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on Union Cabinet decisions, Union Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw says," The Union Cabinet has approved a high-speed corridor highway from Shillong to Silchar to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 22,864 crore." pic.twitter.com/oRpLbDeDVB
— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2025
This strategic four-lane corridor will serve as a high-speed link on National Highway 06 (NH-06), covering 144.80 km in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam. Once completed, the highway is expected to drastically improve connectivity between Guwahati and Silchar, while enhancing logistical efficiency across the Northeast.
Cost of high-speed corridor highway from Shillong to Silchar
The Rs 22,864 crore project includes a civil construction cost of Rs 12,087 crore and Rs 3,503 crore allocated for land acquisition. It is projected to generate approximately 74 lakh direct man-days and 93 lakh indirect man-days of employment during its development phase.
Once operational, the corridor is estimated to handle an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) of 19,000–20,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) by FY 2025.
Enhancing regional connectivity
The Shillong-Silchar corridor will significantly reduce travel time and distance between key northeastern states, including Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak Valley region of Assam. The improved corridor aims to promote better access to the mainland and strengthen connectivity with major urban and transport hubs such as Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar.
The corridor will ease congestion on the existing NH-06 and integrate with major transport arteries, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37. It will also connect key towns and regions such as Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, and Kalain, thereby enhancing intercity connectivity.
The new alignment passes through key industrial zones in Meghalaya, especially cement and coal-producing areas and is expected to spur industrial and economic development in the region. Furthermore, its proximity to Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar airports makes it a gateway for national and international tourists.