Shillong: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a massive Rs 39,800 crore highway development package for Meghalaya, aimed at boosting regional mobility and economic growth. During the North East India Infrastructure Summit, the minister highlighted several flagship projects, including an Rs 23,000 crore, 165-km Greenfield Corridor connecting Shillong and Silchar. This route is expected to halve travel time and improve access to Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur.
Other major interventions include the Rs 8,500 crore Jorabat-Barapani four-lane corridor, designed to reduce the commute between Guwahati and Shillong to approximately one hour. Additionally, the government has earmarked Rs 4,000 crore for the Darugiri-Baghmara-Dalu section of NH-217 to strengthen connectivity in the Garo Hills and along the Bangladesh border.
Gadkari also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several regional projects, such as the Shillong-Dawki road and various bypasses for Tura, Pynursla, and Jowai. Addressing local officials, the minister emphasized that funding remains available for these developments, provided the state accelerates necessary administrative tasks. He stated, "Funds are not a constraint," while urging the government to prioritize land acquisition, utility shifting, and environmental clearances.
Beyond travel efficiency, the initiative aims to bolster Meghalaya's tourism sector by improving access to major sites like the living root bridges in Mawlynnong and the waterfalls in Sohra. The infrastructure expansion is also expected to facilitate digital connectivity, support agricultural logistics, and create thousands of construction and ancillary jobs. State officials view this program as a critical step in aligning with the national Act East Policy, positioning Meghalaya as a key gateway for trade and travel across Northeast India.
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