Shillong : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced a massive infrastructure package worth nearly ₹39,800 crore for Meghalaya, aimed at transforming road connectivity, boosting economic growth, and improving access across the state and the wider Northeast region.
Addressing the inaugural session of the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA 2026) at the Lariti Performing Arts Centre in Shillong, Gadkari unveiled several major National Highway projects covering approximately 450 kilometres.
The flagship project is the proposed four-lane Greenfield Shillong-Silchar Corridor, estimated at ₹23,000 crore and spanning around 165 kilometres. The corridor is expected to cut travel time between Shillong and Silchar by nearly 50 percent while strengthening connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur through Silchar. The project is also expected to boost trade, tourism, logistics and industrial development across the region.
Another major proposal is the four-lane Greenfield Jorabat-Barapani Corridor, estimated at ₹8,500 crore and covering approximately 66 kilometres. Once completed, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and Shillong from around two and a half hours to nearly one hour. The route will eventually form part of a larger high-speed Siliguri-Guwahati-Shillong-Silchar Economic Corridor.
Gadkari also highlighted the strategic importance of the proposed Darugiri-Baghmara-Dalu section of National Highway-217. Estimated at ₹4,000 crore and stretching around 136 kilometres, the project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in Garo Hills and border areas adjoining Bangladesh, enhancing access to markets, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and economic opportunities.
In addition, the Union Minister mentioned several other key infrastructure initiatives, including the Pomlum-Umtyngar section of the Shillong-Dawki corridor, the Tura-Dalu route improvement project, the Tura Bypass, the Pynursla Bypass and NH-127B connectivity projects linked to the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge.
The two-day NEIINFRA 2026 summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, infrastructure developers and government representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges related to infrastructure development, logistics, tourism, digital connectivity, industrial growth and investment across the Northeast.
The inaugural session was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, along with senior officials and industry representatives from across the country.
Expressing confidence in the transformative impact of the projects, Gadkari said the ongoing and proposed infrastructure developments would accelerate economic growth, create employment opportunities and contribute significantly towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Speaking at the summit, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated that the Northeast has moved beyond decades of instability and is now witnessing an era of peace, political stability and rapid development. He noted that Meghalaya currently ranks among the top-performing states in GDP growth over the last five years, supported by increased public investment and infrastructure spending.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and infrastructure development, stating that the Northeast is entering a dynamic phase of transformation under the Government of India’s Act East Policy.
The summit is expected to pave the way for stronger partnerships between governments, investors and industry stakeholders, helping unlock the economic potential of Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region.