Shillong, June 15: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Monday (June 15) that national highway projects worth around Rs 52,400 crore are currently under implementation in the state.
Addressing the gathering here, Gadkari said the projects covering about 820 kilometres have already been completed, construction is underway on nearly 310 kilometres, while projects spanning around 450 kilometres are in various stages of planning and implementation.
Several landmark projects completed in recent years have significantly improved connectivity across Meghalaya.
The minister claimed that the Shillong–Nongstoin–Tura Trans Meghalaya Highway has reduced travel time between Shillong and Tura from nearly 12 hours to around 6 hours.
However, the project was completed during the tenure of Congress-led government headed by Mukul Sangma as the Chief Minister.
The union minister also mentioned about the Jorabat–Umiam Four-Lane Road ( initiated again by Mukul Sangma), Tura–Dalu Road, Jowai–Malidor Road and Ranikor–Baghmara Road have strengthened connectivity across the State and enhanced access to border areas.
3,214 crore projects
He laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation six national highway projects in Meghalaya, covering over 117 kilometres involving a total investment of Rs 3,214 crore at a function held at Polo Ground, Shillong.
The programme was attended by Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Thomas A Sangma, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Member of Parliament Saleng A. Sangma, state ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior officials
Among the projects dedicated to the nation, Package-I of the Shillong–Dawki Road Project has been completed over a length of around 11 kilometres at a cost of Rs 351 crore. The project will improve connectivity between Shillong, Dawki and the India–Bangladesh border while strengthening tourism, trade and regional economic activity.
The Jowai Bypass Project, completed at a cost of Rs 106 crore over nearly 5 kilometres, has eased congestion in Jowai town and significantly improved road safety and travel efficiency.
Foundation stones were laid for four major National Highway projects. The Tura Bypass Project on NH-127B and NH-217 will be developed over about 29 kilometres at a cost of Rs 952 crore. The project will divert traffic away from densely populated areas of Tura, reduce congestion and facilitate faster and safer movement towards the international border near Dalu.
Selsella–Simbukolgre (Package-I) section on NH-127B will be developed over approximately 32 kilometres at a cost of Rs 737 crore. Linked with the upcoming Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge over the Brahmaputra, the project will significantly strengthen connectivity in the West Garo Hills region and improve access to neighbouring states.
The Pynursla Bypass Project on NH-206 will be constructed over approximately 8 kilometres at a cost of Rs 564 crore. The bypass will decongest Pynursla town, improve travel efficiency and strengthen connectivity to Dawki, the Umngot river and the international border, thereby supporting tourism and cross-border trade.
Similarly, Package-II from Selsella–Simbukolgre to Koiragre will be developed over approximately 32 kilometres at a cost of Rs 504 crore. The project will further improve connectivity across West Garo Hills, facilitate freight movement and support regional economic growth.
Gadkari said that the Shillong–Dawki Corridor, currently under development, will substantially improve connectivity with Bangladesh through the Tamabil border, ease congestion in Upper Shillong, reduce travel time and strengthen strategic and economic linkages. He noted that these projects will provide a major boost to international trade and tourism in Dawki, Dalu and Sohra, while generating large-scale employment and self-employment opportunities.
The programme was attended by Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Thomas A Sangma, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Member of Parliament Saleng A. Sangma, State Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior officials
Infrastructure summit
Earlier in the day, Gadkari participated in the inaugural session of the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA 2026) at the Lariti Performing Arts Centre, Mawkasiang, New Shillong Township.
The two-day summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, infrastructure developers and government representatives to deliberate on opportunities and challenges relating to infrastructure development, logistics, tourism, digital connectivity, industrial growth and investment in the North Eastern Region. The event served as a platform for fostering collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development and unlock the region’s economic potential.
Addressing the summit, Gadkari announced major upcoming national highway projects worth nearly Rs 39,800 crore covering approximately 450 kilometres across Meghalaya, which are expected to transform the State’s connectivity landscape and accelerate economic growth.
The flagship 4-Lane Greenfield Shillong–Silchar Corridor, estimated at Rs 23,000 crore, will be developed over approximately 165 kilometres and is expected to emerge as one of the most significant infrastructure projects in 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 key economic centres, tourism destinations and logistics hubs, the project is expected to catalyse industrial development, trade, tourism and investment across the region.
The proposed 4-Lane Greenfield Jorabat–Barapani Corridor, estimated at Rs 8,500 crore and spanning approximately 66 kilometres, will provide high-speed connectivity between Guwahati and Shillong. The project is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to nearly one hour and will form part of a future high-speed Siliguri–Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar Economic Corridor.
Gadkari also highlighted the strategic importance of the proposed Darugiri–Baghmara–Dalu Section of NH-217, estimated at Rs 4,000 crore over approximately 136 kilometres. The project will significantly improve connectivity in the Garo Hills region and border areas adjoining Bangladesh, providing better access to markets, healthcare, education and economic opportunities for local communities.
He further noted that projects such as the Pomlum–Umtyngar Section of the Shillong–Dawki Corridor, improvement of the Tura–Dalu Route, the Tura Bypass Project, the Pynursla Bypass Project and NH-127B Connectivity Projects linked to the Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge will further strengthen Meghalaya’s transport infrastructure and improve last-mile connectivity.
The inaugural session of NEIINFRA 2026 was attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland T. R. Zeliang, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, senior officials of the Central and State Governments, industry representatives and delegates from across the country.
