The Meghalaya government has initiated the land acquisition process for the ambitious ₹22,864 crore Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor, a greenfield four-lane highway designed to boost connectivity across the Northeast.
Spanning 166.80 km, the corridor will start at Mawlyngkhung near Shillong and end at Panchgram in Assam’s Barak Valley. According to officials, 144.80 km of the alignment will fall within Meghalaya, while the remaining 22 km will pass through Assam. The project will be executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and traverse Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya.
Villages Identified for Acquisition
Seventeen villages in Ri-Bhoi, including Pyllun, Umeit, Umroi Labansaro, Nongrah, Nonglakhia, Wahmyntait, and Lumsohphoh, have been earmarked for land acquisition. In an official notification, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal urged residents to avoid any new construction within the alignment area without prior approval. He also cautioned that any unauthorized structures built after the notice would not qualify for compensation.
Boost to Trade, Tourism, and Logistics
Once completed, the highway is expected to reduce both travel time and distance, improving nationwide logistics efficiency and spurring economic growth, particularly in Meghalaya’s cement and coal-producing regions. The project will also boost tourism by linking scenic destinations across the Northeast and improving access to the airports in Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar through NH-06.
The route will pass through Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and Assam’s Cachar district, easing congestion on NH-06 and strengthening regional transport infrastructure under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The alignment will integrate with major national highways including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, ensuring connectivity to key towns such as Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, and Kalain.
The commencement of land acquisition marks a major milestone for the project, which is set to significantly enhance trade, mobility, and regional development in the Northeastern states.