In a major boost to the infrastructure landscape of the North Eastern Region, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation six National Highway projects in Meghalaya. The projects involve a total investment of ₹3,214 crore and were launched at a high-profile function held at Polo Ground, Shillong.
The programme was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries, including Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Shri Thomas A. Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Prestone Tynsong and Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Member of Parliament Shri Saleng A. Sangma, along with various State Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and senior government officials.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Gadkari highlighted that Meghalaya is naturally endowed with immense beauty, cultural diversity, and economic potential, all of which require a robust road network to unlock new opportunities for growth, tourism, trade, and employment.
He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in road connectivity. The Union Minister revealed that National Highway projects worth approximately ₹52,400 crore are currently under implementation across Meghalaya.
Out of this massive undertaking, projects covering about 820 kilometres have already been completed, construction is actively underway on nearly 310 kilometres, and projects spanning around 450 kilometres are at various stages of planning and implementation.
Reflecting on recent achievements, the Minister noted that several landmark projects completed in recent years have already transformed connectivity across the state. A notable example is the Shillong–Nongstoin–Tura Trans Meghalaya Highway, which has reduced travel time between Shillong and Tura from nearly 12 hours to around six hours.
Additionally, key routes such as the Jorabat–Umiam Four-Lane Road, the Tura–Dalu Road, the Jowai–Malidor Road, and the Ranikor–Baghmara Road have significantly strengthened internal connectivity and improved access to important border areas.
The newly launched phase of development comprises six National Highway projects covering more than 117 kilometres at a total cost exceeding ₹3,214 crore.
Among the completed projects dedicated to the nation is Package-I of the Shillong–Dawki Road Project, spanning approximately 11 kilometres and executed at a cost of ₹351 crore. The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Shillong, Dawki, and the India-Bangladesh international border, thereby strengthening tourism, trade, and regional economic activities.
Another completed project dedicated during the event is the Jowai Bypass Project, constructed at a cost of ₹106 crore over nearly five kilometres. The bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion in Jowai town while enhancing road safety and travel efficiency.
Foundation stones were also laid for four major upcoming National Highway projects.
The largest among them is the Tura Bypass Project on NH-127B and NH-217, which will be developed over approximately 29 kilometres at a cost of ₹952 crore. The bypass is designed to divert heavy traffic away from densely populated areas of Tura, reducing congestion and facilitating faster and safer movement towards the international border near Dalu.
Another critical project is the Durgiri–Phulbari Bridge to Selsella–Simbukolgre (Package-I) section on NH-127B. Covering approximately 32 kilometres at a cost of ₹737 crore, this section will connect directly with the upcoming Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge across the Brahmaputra River, significantly strengthening connectivity in the West Garo Hills region and improving access to neighbouring states.
Further enhancing the road network, the Pynursla Bypass Project on NH-206 will be constructed over approximately eight kilometres at an estimated cost of ₹564 crore. The project will decongest Pynursla town, improve travel efficiency, and strengthen connectivity to Dawki, the renowned Umngot River, and the international border, thereby supporting tourism and cross-border trade.
Closely linked to the regional network is Package-II from Selsella–Simbukolgre to Koiragre, which will be developed over approximately 32 kilometres at a cost of ₹504 crore. The project is expected to improve connectivity across West Garo Hills, facilitate smoother freight movement, and support regional economic growth.
Shri Gadkari explained that the entire Shillong–Dawki Corridor currently under development will substantially improve connectivity with Bangladesh through the Tamabil border. It will also ease traffic congestion in Upper Shillong, reduce travel time, and strengthen both strategic and economic linkages.
These projects are expected to provide a major boost to international trade and tourism in Dawki, Dalu, and Sohra while generating large-scale employment and self-employment opportunities.
The improved connectivity will also enhance access to healthcare and emergency services in remote areas by establishing stronger links with major hubs such as Shillong and Guwahati.
On the economic front, the projects are expected to strengthen agricultural value chains and promote traditional livelihoods, including bamboo and cane crafts, Eri silk handloom—locally known as Ryndia—and traditional black pottery.
Shri Gadkari reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing world-class highway infrastructure across Meghalaya and the entire North Eastern Region to ensure faster, smoother, and safer transportation.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister also participated in the inaugural session of the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 at the Lariti Performing Arts Centre in Shillong.
The two-day summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, infrastructure developers, and government representatives to deliberate on critical opportunities and challenges related to infrastructure development, logistics, tourism, digital connectivity, industrial growth, and investment in the North Eastern Region.
The event served as a collaborative platform for governments and industry stakeholders to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development and unlock the region’s economic potential.
Addressing summit delegates, Shri Gadkari announced another set of major upcoming National Highway projects worth nearly ₹39,800 crore, covering approximately 450 kilometres across Meghalaya.
The flagship initiative among these projects is the proposed 4-Lane Greenfield Shillong–Silchar Corridor, estimated to cost ₹23,000 crore. Stretching approximately 165 kilometres, it is expected to become one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the history of the North East.
The corridor will reduce travel time between Shillong and Silchar by nearly 50 per cent and provide faster connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur through Silchar. By linking major economic centres, tourism destinations, and logistics hubs, the project is expected to catalyse industrial development, trade, tourism, and investment across multiple states.
Another major proposal is the 4-Lane Greenfield Jorabat–Barapani Corridor, estimated at ₹8,500 crore and spanning approximately 66 kilometres. The project will provide high-speed connectivity between Guwahati and Shillong and is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities from about two-and-a-half hours to nearly one hour.
It will also eventually form an important component of the proposed high-speed Siliguri–Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar Economic Corridor.
Shri Gadkari further highlighted the strategic importance of the proposed Darugiri–Baghmara–Dalu section of NH-217, estimated at ₹4,000 crore and covering approximately 136 kilometres.
The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the Garo Hills region and border areas adjoining Bangladesh while providing better access to markets, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for local communities.
He also noted that several other projects, including the Pomlum–Umtyngar section of the Shillong–Dawki Corridor, the improvement of the Tura–Dalu route, the Tura Bypass Project, the Pynursla Bypass Project, and the NH-127B connectivity projects linked to the Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge, will collectively strengthen Meghalaya’s transport infrastructure and improve critical last-mile connectivity.
The inaugural session of NEIINFRA 2026 was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri T. R. Zeliang, and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Prestone Tynsong and Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, along with senior officials from the Central and State Governments, industry representatives, and delegates from across the country.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Gadkari expressed confidence that the ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects would transform Meghalaya’s connectivity landscape, accelerate economic growth, create substantial employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the national vision of a Viksit Bharat.
