Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: New infrastructure projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency are set to transform connectivity across Meghalaya. The initiative, part of the Northeast Road Network Connectivity Improvement Programme, represents a total investment of Rs 1,592 crore across three strategic highway corridors.
The development includes the Shillong to Dawki road, the Dhubri to Phulbari bridge approach, and the Selsella to Goeragre stretch along National Highway 127B. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted these routes for their potential to reduce travel times and improve interstate transport. The Shillong to Dawki corridor is particularly vital, as it provides a primary path to the Tamabil border crossing with Bangladesh.
By upgrading these roads, officials expect to ease congestion and improve safety for both commercial and passenger vehicles. The projects also link directly to the ongoing construction of the Dhubri to Phulbari bridge over the Brahmaputra, which will create a more efficient connection between Meghalaya and Assam.
Beyond transportation, the initiative aims to stimulate local economies by lowering transit costs and increasing access to markets. The agency expects tourism and cross-border commerce to see significant gains once the work is complete. JICA India Chief Representative Takeuchi Takuro noted the broader social impact of the investment. “These highway projects will not only enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade, but more importantly, they will create new opportunities for jobs, businesses and improved livelihoods for local communities,” he said.
These projects reinforce the role of JICA in supporting infrastructure development in the Northeast. The upgrades are designed to position Meghalaya as a central hub for trade and regional integration, supporting India’s broader goal of strengthening economic ties with Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.
Comments