Assam Leads Northeast in Highway Projects

Assam leads the Northeast in National Highway (NH) projects with a total Brahmaputra River, and an elevated investment of Rs 392.4 billion, with the longest road length under construction. All NH projects in Assam, Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura are expected to be completed by 2028, with efforts to streamline land acquisition, expedite approvals.

Coordination to avoid improve delays ​Assam has emerged as a frontrunner in the development of highway infrastructure within Northeast India, boasting the highest number of ongoing National Highway (NH) projects in the region. According to recent data, the state is currently overseeing 66 NH projects, covering approximately 1,139 kilometers, with a total investment of ₹39,239 crore. ​

The Union government has unveiled ambitious plans to further enhance Assam’s road infrastructure. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that projects worth ₹80,000 crore are set to commence soon, with a broader vision of completing projects totaling ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. These Guwahati Ring Road, a tunnel beneath the corridor at Kaziranga National Park.

Additionally, the government has approved ₹1,186.20 crore for the four-laning of a 13 km stretch of NH-37 from Silchar in Assam to Jiribam in Manipur. This project aims to significantly improve connectivity between Meghalaya, Assam, and Manipur, facilitating seamless access to Manipur’s capital, Imphal, via the Jiribam-Silchar-Ratacherra-Kalain-Jowai-Shillong route on NH-37.

Strategic Infrastructure Developments

Assam’s infrastructure landscape has been transformed by landmark projects such as the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, also known as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu. Inaugurated in 2017, this 9.15-kilometer bridge is India’s longest road bridge, connecting Assam’s Tinsukia district with Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh. It has significantly reduced travel time between the two states, enhancing both civilian and military movement in this strategic border region.

Commitment to Timely Completion

The government has expressed a strong commitment to completing all under-construction NH projects in the Northeast by 2028. This includes 186 ongoing projects across five northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura—spanning 3,582 kilometers ₹77,362 crore. In the fiscal year 2024-25 alone, 31 NH projects were completed in these states, covering 389 kilometers at a cost of ₹4,352 crore.

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Future Prospects

Looking ahead, the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway is an approved four-lane (expandable to six) access-controlled greenfield expressway that will connect Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh with Siliguri in West, expected to be completed by 2025, will run almost parallel to the India-Nepal border and is anticipated to be extended to Guwahati, Assam, in the future, further enhancing regional connectivity. ​

Assam’s leadership in highway infrastructure development is a testament to the state’s strategic importance and the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in Northeast India. These extensive projects are poised to stimulate economic growth, improve accessibility, and contribute to the overall development of the region.​

Assam has emerged as the leader in highway infrastructure development in Northeast India, with the highest number of ongoing National Highway (NH) projects. The state currently has 66 NH projects covering approximately 1,139 kilometers, with a total investment of ₹39,239 crore.

The Union government has ambitious plans for Assam’s road infrastructure, with upcoming projects worth ₹80,000 crore and a broader vision of investing ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. Key projects include the Guwahati Ring Road, a tunnel under the Brahmaputra River, and an elevated corridor at Kaziranga National Park.

Additionally, the Centre has approved ₹1,186 crore for the four-laning of a 13 km stretch of NH-37 from Silchar (Assam) to Jiribam (Manipur), improving connectivity between Meghalaya, Assam, and Manipur. The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, India’s longest road bridge at 9.15 km, has already enhanced connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

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