In a significant push towards strengthening road infrastructure in the Northeastern region, the Union Government has approved a ₹22,864 crore expressway project connecting Shillong in Meghalaya to Silchar in Assam. The green signal to this high-speed, access-controlled highway marks one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings for the region in recent years.
The proposed 166-kilometre-long corridor is expected to dramatically improve travel and transport across the hills and plains of Meghalaya and Assam, and further provide faster access to states like Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram. The route has been designated as part of the A-5 highway network, and will include both greenfield segments (new construction) and brownfield upgrades (improving existing roads).
According to officials, the project will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), with a three-year construction period followed by a 15-year operation and maintenance term. The highway will feature four lanes and will be fully access-controlled to ensure smoother traffic movement, better safety, and long-term durability.
Construction of the highway will involve complex structures like bridges, viaducts, and underpasses
Given the challenging terrain of the Northeast, the expressway will involve substantial engineering work. The approved plan includes the construction of 19 major bridges and 153 minor ones, in addition to over 2,600 underpasses and 326 culverts to facilitate natural drainage and animal movement. The route will also have 26 vehicle overpasses and 34 viaducts — long bridge-like structures that will help the highway span valleys, rivers, and hilly areas without disrupting the landscape.
Altogether, the viaducts alone will stretch over nine kilometres, highlighting the scale and complexity of this infrastructure project.
The Shillong-Silchar expressway is expected to become a key trade and connectivity corridor for the Northeast
Government officials have described the Shillong-Silchar expressway as a “strategic economic corridor” that will not only reduce travel time significantly but also serve as a lifeline for trade, tourism, and inter-state connectivity in the Northeast. At present, road travel across the region is often hindered by narrow, damaged, or landslide-prone routes. This new expressway aims to offer a faster, safer, and more reliable alternative.
“The new corridor is set to revolutionise the way people and goods move in this part of the country,” a senior official from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said. “It will also help in integrating remote parts of the region with national and international trade routes.”
Experts believe that the project will especially benefit Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur, providing them with faster access to central Assam and onward routes to the rest of the country. The highway also aligns with India’s broader ‘Act East’ policy, aimed at boosting economic engagement with Southeast Asia through improved regional infrastructure.
The project is likely to create jobs, support small businesses, and bring long-term economic benefits to the region
Apart from easing transport, the project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases. Contractors will be required to hire local labour and suppliers, which could provide a boost to small businesses in the region.
Moreover, improved connectivity is likely to bring indirect benefits such as increased tourism, enhanced agricultural trade, and better access to healthcare and education for remote communities. With modern transport routes in place, the Northeast’s potential as a commercial and cultural hub is likely to expand over the coming decade.
Implementation will face hurdles, but the expressway signals a serious commitment to Northeast development
While the road to execution may still face challenges — including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and weather-related delays — the government appears committed to ensuring timely implementation. The Shillong-Silchar expressway is one among several mega-projects the Centre has undertaken in the Northeast in recent years, signalling a renewed focus on equitable regional development.
As work begins on the ground, the people of Meghalaya, Assam, and neighbouring states will be watching closely — not just for a new road, but for a new chapter in the region’s economic journey.
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