The Union Cabinet has approved the development of a high-speed corridor between Shillong and Silchar at a projected cost of ₹22,864 crore. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement on Wednesday, calling the project a strategic move to boost connectivity in the Northeast.
The corridor will link the capital of Meghalaya with one of Assam’s key commercial cities, Silchar. Officials said the project will transform regional logistics and shorten travel time drastically between the two locations. The 265-km route will be constructed using cutting-edge technology under the Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative.
Authorities plan to initiate construction within the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the project expected to generate over 80,000 jobs during its construction phase. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will oversee the implementation and maintenance of the corridor, while state governments will facilitate land acquisition and local coordination.
Minister Vaishnaw said the Shillong–Silchar corridor would open up enormous economic potential for Meghalaya and southern Assam. He added that the corridor would streamline trade flows, especially between Tripura, Mizoram, and the Barak Valley region. According to him, the government will ensure minimum environmental impact and prioritize eco-friendly technologies throughout the construction process.
Officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that the alignment would avoid critical ecological zones and forests to the maximum extent possible. They assured that the project would follow detailed environmental guidelines set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The high-speed corridor will include several bypasses, tunnels, and elevated stretches to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. Engineers will build six major tunnels and over 25 bridges to traverse the hilly terrain and river valleys between Shillong and Silchar. The planned average speed on the route will exceed 100 km per hour, reducing the current six-hour travel time to under three hours.
Local communities along the corridor welcomed the Cabinet’s decision, hoping for better access to healthcare, education, and markets. Traders in the Barak Valley expressed optimism, saying improved road infrastructure would cut down on freight costs and increase competitiveness.
Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K. Sangma said his government would work closely with the Centre to expedite land acquisition. He added that the project aligns with the state’s long-term vision of modern infrastructure and equitable growth. Similarly, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the approval and called it a landmark decision for the Northeast.
The Centre aims to develop the corridor into an economic lifeline that not only connects Shillong and Silchar but also integrates remote villages into the broader transportation network. Officials said the project would unlock economic hubs and give momentum to rural entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Finance has earmarked the required funds and ensured that timely disbursement mechanisms are in place. Project tenders will open soon, with major infrastructure firms already showing interest in bidding. The government has encouraged public-private partnerships to speed up execution.
Authorities said they would deploy advanced monitoring systems to ensure safety, quality control, and adherence to deadlines. The government will use satellite imaging and AI-based analytics to oversee project progress in real time. The project’s successful execution will also contribute significantly to India’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by encouraging faster and more efficient transport alternatives.
As India strengthens its Northeast infrastructure, the Shillong–Silchar corridor stands out as a high-impact venture. It will not only benefit local populations but also serve strategic defense and disaster-response purposes in the region.
The approval of the corridor demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to bridging infrastructure gaps in the Northeast and integrating the region with the national mainstream. It reflects the government’s broader push to bring economic transformation through connectivity and modern highways.
With this green signal from the Cabinet, Shillong and Silchar are now set to enter a new era of rapid development. The high-speed corridor will become a symbol of growth, accessibility, and national unity in India’s eastern frontier.