In a strategic infrastructure push, the Indian government has approved the Shillong-Silchar Highway, a Rs 22,864 crore project aimed at reducing dependence on the Chicken’s Neck corridor and strengthening connectivity in the North-East region.
A Response to Bangladesh’s ‘Landlocked’ Claim
The move comes after Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus described North-East India as “landlocked”, implying that Dhaka is the region’s only maritime gateway. India’s response, through this high-speed corridor, aims to establish an alternative transport route via Myanmar, bypassing reliance on Bangladesh for seaborne cargo access.
Key Features of the Shillong-Silchar Highway
- First High-Speed Corridor in North-East: The 166.8-km four-lane highway will connect Shillong in Meghalaya to Silchar in Assam, drastically reducing travel time from 8.5 hours to just 5 hours.
- Strategic Connectivity: The highway will serve as a critical link for states like Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and the Barak Valley region of Assam.
- Integration with Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: The corridor will connect to India’s Kaladan project in Myanmar, providing an alternative maritime route from Kolkata to the North-East.
- Advanced Engineering Solutions: The project will feature slope stabilization, landslide prediction technologies, and high-altitude infrastructure to navigate the challenging hilly terrain.
Reducing Dependence on Chicken’s Neck
Currently, the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck, is the only overland connection between the North-East and the rest of India. The Shillong-Silchar Highway, along with the Kaladan project, will provide a new transport route, ensuring uninterrupted access to the region without relying on Bangladesh.
Conclusion
India’s latest infrastructure initiative underscores its commitment to regional connectivity and economic development. The Shillong-Silchar Highway is expected to be completed by 2030, marking a major milestone in India’s Act East Policy.
