The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a 135.871-km, four-lane access-controlled Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor on National Highway-15 in Assam at an estimated cost of Rs 8,970.20 crore. The project, to be developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll model, is aimed at improving regional connectivity and supporting economic activity across Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
The new corridor is expected to provide an alternative high-speed route between Guwahati and Tezpur while easing traffic pressure on the existing NH-27 (East-West Corridor) on the southern side of the Brahmaputra River.
Boosting Assam’s Road Connectivity
The project includes five major bypasses at Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur to divert through traffic from congested urban stretches. It also features a 4.9-km emergency landing facility on the Tezpur bypass, planned in coordination with the Indian Air Force, adding a strategic dimension to the highway.
The corridor will comprise 15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 19 flyovers, 46 underpasses and an elephant underpass along the Tezpur bypass to facilitate safe wildlife movement.
Expected Benefits
According to the government, the highway will double average travel speeds and reduce travel time by nearly half. The improved road network is also expected to enhance road safety, lower vehicle operating costs and improve fuel efficiency for commuters and commercial vehicles.
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The project has been planned to strengthen connectivity with key infrastructure developed under the PM Gati Shakti initiative. It will provide access to eight industrial parks, two aspirational districts of Darrang and Udalguri, seven logistics hubs comprising railway stations, airports and inland waterway terminals, and major tourist destinations such as Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park.
The government said the upgraded corridor is expected to facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers, improve logistics efficiency and support long-term socio-economic development in Assam and the wider Northeast region.
The government said the upgraded corridor is expected to facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers, improve logistics efficiency and support long-term socio-economic development in Assam and the wider Northeast region, as stated in the PM Gati Shakti initiative.
Project Details
The project is expected to improve passenger and freight movement across the region. The new corridor will provide an alternative route for traffic, reducing congestion on existing roads and improving overall traffic flow.
The construction of the Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor is a significant investment in the region’s infrastructure, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and community.