Key Points

Taking to X, Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude for approving the Rs 22,864 crore project, noting that the expressway will cut travel time and "revolutinise connectivity" to Barak Valley.

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1917538069520977991?t=3ac0UDxrc4ql-lFsPbIUqQ&s=09

"My gratitude to the Union Cabinet led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for approving the Rs22,864 cr greenfield Guwahati Silchar Expressway. This project will cut travel time between Guwahati and Silchar by over 50% and revolutionise connectivity to Barak Valley. It will be the first in a series of expressways that will criss cross Asaam," CM Sarma said.

According to an official statement, the 166.80 km of National Highway No. 06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam will be built on Hybrid Annuity Mode as an access-controlled greenfield high-speed corridor at a total capital cost of Rs 22,864 crore.

The project length of 166.80 km lies in Meghalaya (144.80 km) and Assam (22.00 km).

The proposed greenfield high-speed corridor will improve the service level for the traffic moving from Guwahati to Silchar. The development of this corridor will improve the connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak Valley region of Assam from mainland and Guwahati with substantially reduced travel distance and travel time. This will, in turn, contribute to the enhancement of logistics efficiency of the nation.

The corridor will improve connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya and will spur economic development, including the development of industries in Meghalaya, as it passes through the cement and coal production areas of Meghalaya. This corridor will cater to the national and international tourists coming from well-connected Guwahati Airport, Shillong Airport, and Silchar Airport (via existing NH-06) connecting Guwahati to Silchar. This would connect scenic places of tourist attraction in the Northeast and promote tourism.

This critical infrastructure project will improve inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar, traverses through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia hills, East Jaintia hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam reduce congestion on existing NH-6 and enhance transport infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The project alignment integrates with major transport corridors, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, NH-37, providing seamless connectivity to Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, Kalain.

Upon completion, the Shillong - Silchar Corridor will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, improving connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl and Agartala. The project aligns with the government's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhancing infrastructure while generating employment and fostering socio-economic development in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

- ANI