Shillong: Meghalaya is set to witness a major infrastructure transformation with National Highway projects worth nearly Rs 39,800 crore, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced while inaugurating the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in Shillong on Monday.
Addressing the inaugural session, attended by Chief Ministers, senior officials and industry leaders from across the Northeast, Gadkari said the Centre is committed to bringing road infrastructure in the region on par with that of the most developed states of the country.
“We will bring the road infrastructure of the Northeast equivalent to the progressive, prosperous and developed states of India; this is our resolve, and we will fulfil it,” the Union Minister said.
The summit, hosted by the Meghalaya government in partnership with the Federation of Industry and Commerce of North East Region (FINER) and the Build India Foundation, brought together more than 1,500 delegates, representatives of eight Northeastern states and officials from eight Union Ministries.
Among the key projects announced was the 165 km four lane Greenfield Shillong–Silchar Corridor, estimated at Rs 23,000 crore. The project is expected to reduce travel time between Shillong and Silchar by nearly 50 per cent while improving connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur.
Gadkari also highlighted the proposed 66 km four lane Greenfield Jorabat–Barapani Corridor, worth Rs 8,500 crore, which will reduce travel time between Guwahati and Shillong from around two and a half hours to nearly one hour.
Another major project is the 136 km Darugiri–Baghmara–Dalu stretch of National Highway 217, estimated at Rs 4,000 crore, aimed at improving connectivity in remote areas of the Garo Hills along the Bangladesh border.
Additional infrastructure initiatives include four laning of the Pomlum–Umtyngar section on the Shillong–Dawki corridor, the Tura–Dalu road improvement project, the Tura and Pynursla bypasses, and works on NH 127B linked to the Dhubri–Phulbari bridge.
The Union Minister said improved highways would boost tourism, facilitate cross border trade through Dawki and Dalu, create employment opportunities and enhance market access for farmers and entrepreneurs across Meghalaya.
Congratulating Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for organising the summit, Gadkari said the event would inspire investors and help unlock the vast economic potential of the Northeast, which is increasingly emerging as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.
(IANS)
