Siliguri-Guwahati High-Speed Corridor Planned to Boost Northeast Link via North Bengal
400-km four-lane expressway to enhance strategic and economic connectivity; DPR in progress with completion target of 12 months
Guwahati: In a major infrastructure push to bolster connectivity between mainland India and the Northeast, the central government has unveiled plans for a four-lane, access-controlled high-speed corridor stretching from Siliguri in West Bengal to Guwahati in Assam. The proposed 400-km expressway will connect via Jorabat and significantly reduce travel time across the critical Chicken’s Neck corridor — a narrow stretch in North Bengal that is the lifeline for the landlocked Northeastern states.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has entrusted the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project. Following MoRTH’s approval, NHIDCL has now invited bids for consultancy services to develop the DPR, with a timeline of 12 months for completion.
According to NHIDCL officials, this initiative is part of a broader vision to develop a high-speed corridor extending from Siliguri to Guwahati and further to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, thereby laying the foundation for a strategic Northeast connectivity grid.
MoRTH has shown a preference for routing the expressway along the north bank of the Brahmaputra River. However, the final alignment — including whether the corridor will be an extension of the existing East-West Corridor or a completely new greenfield alignment — will be determined after the DPR is finalized.
This expressway is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional integration, defense logistics, economic development, and emergency response efficiency in the Northeast — a region long hampered by limited access and fragile infrastructure links with the rest of the country.
Key Highlights:
- Length: Approx. 400 km
- Route: Siliguri (West Bengal) to Guwahati (Assam) via Jorabat
- Status: DPR under preparation by NHIDCL
- Completion Target for DPR: 12 months
- Strategic Focus: Enhanced connectivity through Chicken’s Neck, integration with future link to Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh)
This project is poised to become a critical piece of India’s larger infrastructure and strategic vision for the Northeast, bringing both development and resilience to the region’s transportation network.