PM Modi to Inaugurate Game-Changing High-Speed Corridor in Assam Next Month
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the transformative Silchar-Shillong-Guwahati high-speed corridor project in March, as announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday. This ambitious greenfield road project, with a total cost of Rs 22,864 crore, will dramatically slash travel time from Silchar to Guwahati by approximately 4.5 to 5 hours, marking a significant leap in regional connectivity.
Massive Infrastructure Boost Ahead of Assembly Polls
PM Modi's upcoming visit to Assam in March will be his fourth trip to the poll-bound state since December, underscoring the strategic importance of these developments. The high-speed corridor, spanning 166.80 kilometers with 144.80 km in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam, was approved by the Union cabinet in April last year. It is designed to enhance connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam's Barak Valley from the mainland and Guwahati, reducing both travel distances and time.
"This will be a game-changing road, reducing travel time from Silchar to Guwahati to 4.5-5 hours. It is the biggest project being implemented by the Union government in Assam," stated Chief Minister Sarma during a media briefing in Guwahati.
Kamakhya Ropeway and Temple Corridor Projects Also on the Agenda
In addition to the high-speed corridor, PM Modi will lay the foundation for the Kamakhya ropeway project, which will link the Kamakhya railway station with the revered temple. The government has already floated tenders for this initiative, with completion expected soon. Furthermore, the Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor project, previously stalled, is likely to resume shortly after the Gauhati High Court granted permission following assurances that the project would adhere to designs approved by IIT Guwahati and not harm the temple.
"After some people opposed the corridor, the Gauhati high court asked IIT Guwahati and the National Institute of Hydrology to study if the project would have any ecological impact. They said there would be no impact," explained CM Sarma, highlighting that the expert committee report raised no adverse comments.
Rs 55,000 Crore Infrastructure Surge in Assam
Chief Minister Sarma revealed that central projects worth around Rs 55,000 crore have been sanctioned for Assam in the past year, out of a promised Rs 80,000 crore from the second Advantage Assam investment summit. Key upcoming projects include:
- An elevated corridor connecting Guwahati airport with Jalukbari, estimated at Rs 1,500 crore, expected to be approved imminently.
- Four-laning of the national highway from Baihata Chariali to Tezpur, a Rs 14,000-crore project in final approval stages.
- Infrastructure upgrades at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (Rs 2,200 crore) and Assam Medical College and Hospital (Rs 600 crore).
- A planned highway from the semiconductor plant at Jagiroad to the Bhutan border via Udalguri, including a new bridge over the Brahmaputra, under active consideration by the Centre.
Historic Brahmaputra Tunnel Approved
In a related development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Modi, approved the construction of India's first 34-km-long twin-tube road-cum-rail tunnel underneath the Brahmaputra between Gohpur and Numaligarh at a cost of Rs 18,662 crore. This strategic asset, while primarily for defense, will also benefit civilians, further boosting the region's infrastructure landscape.
These initiatives collectively represent a monumental push to transform Assam's connectivity and economic prospects, positioning it as a key hub in India's northeastern corridor.
