Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor

Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor
Mawlyngkhung–Panchgram High-Speed Corridor
Route information
Length	166.8 km (103.6 mi)
Status	Under construction
Major junctions
From	Mawlyngkhung, Meghalaya
To	Panchgram, Assam
Location
Country	India
States	Meghalaya, Assam
Highway system
Roads in India Expressways National State Asian

The Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, also known as the Mawlyngkhung–Panchgram High-Speed Corridor, is a four-lane access-controlled greenfield highway corridor under construction between Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya and Panchgram near Silchar in Assam. The 166.8-kilometre corridor is being developed along National Highway 6 at an estimated cost of ₹22,864 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). It is expected to become the first access-controlled high-speed highway corridor in Northeast India.

The project is intended to improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam, reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar, and strengthen transport links with Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak Valley region of Assam.

History

The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 30 April 2025. The approved proposal included the development, maintenance and management of a 166.8-kilometre four-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam at a total capital cost of ₹22,864 crore.

On 14 March 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the corridor in Silchar, Assam, as part of a package of development projects for the Barak Valley region.

Route

The corridor extends from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam. Of its total length, approximately 144.8 kilometres lie in Meghalaya and 22 kilometres in Assam. The alignment passes through the districts of Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya before entering Cachar district in Assam.

Project details

The project is being implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). It will provide connectivity with National Highway 27, National Highway 106, National Highway 206 and National Highway 37. Upon completion, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar from around 8.5 hours to approximately 5 hours.

Construction

Following the approval of the project by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2025, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) initiated the implementation process. In January 2026, NHIDCL invited requests for proposals (RFPs) for Package 1 of the corridor under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The package covers a 45.645-kilometre stretch from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya and has an estimated project cost of ₹4,734.24 crore.

The project is being implemented in multiple construction packages. Upon completion, the corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam and significantly reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar.

Legal challenges

In April 2026, the Meghalaya High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor. The petition sought to halt land acquisition and preparatory works, citing concerns over environmental degradation, landslides, and the impact on culturally significant sites. During the proceedings, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Government of Meghalaya informed the court that all statutory and environmental safeguards would be followed and that the highway alignment had been revised following public consultations to minimise impacts on sensitive areas. The court found no merit in the petition and disposed of the case, while granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the court again if any fresh cause of action arose in the future.

See also

• Transport in Meghalaya