Rs 22,864 Crore Greenfield Shillong-Silchar Highway Advances: Meghalaya Begins Land Acquisition For The Northeast Connectivity Project

The Meghalaya government has started the land acquisition process for the proposed Rs 22,864 crore Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor, a greenfield four-lane highway aimed at transforming connectivity in the Northeast, The Hindu reported.

The 166.80 km corridor will begin at Mawlyngkhung near Shillong and end at Panchgram in Assam’s Barak Valley, officials said on Tuesday (5 August).

The project, to be executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), will pass through Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district. 

Of the total length, 144.80 km lies in Meghalaya and the remaining 22 km in Assam.

Seventeen villages in Ri-Bhoi have been identified for land acquisition, including Pyllun, Umeit, Umroi Labansaro, Nongrah, Nonglakhia, Wahmyntait, and Lumsohphoh.

In a notification, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal urged residents not to undertake any new construction or development activity within the alignment area without prior permission from his office.

“It is hereby clearly stated that any unauthorised structures, whether temporary or permanent, erected within the proposed alignment after the issuance of this notice will not be considered eligible for any compensation at the time of land acquisition or project implementation," the notification stated.

As per an official statement issued on 30 April, the new corridor aims to ease traffic between Guwahati and Silchar, thereby strengthening connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region.

The project is expected to cut down both travel time and distance, improving nationwide logistics efficiency.

It is also set to spur economic development in Meghalaya, particularly in cement and coal-producing areas, while boosting tourism by linking several scenic destinations across the northeast.

The corridor will connect the airports at Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar via the existing NH-06, improving access for domestic and international travellers.

Traversing through Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and Assam’s Cachar district, the corridor is expected to decongest NH-06 and strengthen regional transport infrastructure in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The alignment will integrate with key national highways including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, ensuring smooth connectivity to important locations such as Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, Kalain, and others.

The move marks a key step forward for the ambitious infrastructure project, which is expected to significantly enhance trade, mobility, and regional development in Northeastern states.

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