PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone of Northeast’s First High-Speed Corridor
₹22,860-crore Shillong–Silchar Greenfield highway to transform connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya, cutting travel time by over three hours.
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Shillong–Silchar Corridor on Saturday, marking the beginning of Northeast India’s first access-controlled greenfield four-lane high-speed corridor.
According to officials, the 166-kilometre project, estimated to cost around ₹22,860 crore, is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam.
Once completed, the corridor will reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar from the current 8.5 hours to about 5 hours, making transportation faster and more efficient across the region.
Boost to Connectivity and Economy
The improved connectivity is expected to boost economic activities, facilitate smoother movement of goods and people, and strengthen cross-border trade in the region.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for an elevated corridor on National Highway-306 in Silchar. The proposed project will stretch from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point (Phase-I).
The elevated corridor aims to reduce traffic congestion on one of Silchar’s busiest routes and improve overall urban mobility in the city.
Officials believe the project will also strengthen connectivity between Assam and neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur, contributing to the economic development of the Barak Valley region.
Agriculture College in Sribhumi
In addition to the infrastructure projects, Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone for a new agriculture college in Patharkandi, located in Sribhumi District.
The proposed institution is expected to strengthen agricultural education and research in Assam, providing students from the Barak Valley and nearby regions access to quality education and modern research facilities closer to home. It will also encourage innovation and skill development in the agricultural sector.
Development Push in Assam
Earlier on Friday, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹19,500 crore in Guwahati.
Addressing a massive public gathering, Modi extended his greetings to the people of Assam and acknowledged the contributions of farmers and tea garden workers across the country.
He also expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to visit the sacred land of Kamakhya Temple on the eve of Navratri.
“With the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, development projects worth nearly ₹19,500 crore have been inaugurated and launched in a short span of time,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi emphasized that Assam has received multiple projects aimed at making the state self-reliant in the energy sector, while also improving transportation and connectivity.
He further noted that Assam is playing an important role in achieving India’s renewable energy commitments, adding that the Lower Kopili Hydro Power Project will benefit not only the state but the entire Northeast region.
“These projects worth thousands of crores will create new employment opportunities for the youth and contribute to the prosperity of the state,” the Prime Minister added.
