Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state is developing a network of expressways and high-speed corridors aimed at significantly reducing travel time across the Northeast while enhancing connectivity, trade and tourism.
In a social media post, Sarma said the government’s vision is to bring all regions of Assam within a six-hour travel radius, reducing journey times that currently range between 13 and 15 hours.
Highlighting a key infrastructure initiative, the Chief Minister said work has begun on the proposed Shillong-Silchar High-Speed Corridor, which forms part of the broader Siliguri-Silchar Expressway project.
According to Sarma, the Shillong-Silchar corridor will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹22,864 crore. The project involves the construction of a 166.8-km greenfield, four-lane access-controlled highway designed to enable faster, safer and more efficient transportation.
The corridor is expected to strengthen connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar, while serving as a strategic transport link for several northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur.
Officials said the project would improve the movement of passengers and freight, reduce logistics costs and provide faster access to markets across the region.
The proposed corridor is also expected to boost tourism by improving road access to key destinations in the Northeast.
Sarma said the high-speed road network is part of a broader infrastructure development agenda being pursued jointly by the state and central governments. The initiative aims to create seamless transportation corridors capable of supporting economic growth, industrial expansion and greater regional integration.
Infrastructure experts have noted that improved road connectivity is critical to unlocking the economic potential of the Northeast, a region that has long faced logistical challenges due to difficult terrain and extended travel times.
Once completed, the Shillong-Silchar High-Speed Corridor is expected to emerge as a major transportation artery in the Northeast, strengthening inter-state connectivity, facilitating trade and mobility, and contributing to the region’s long-term economic development.
(With inputs from IANS)
