The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the approval for a 166.80 km greenfield expressway (national high-speed corridor) along National Highway-6 connecting Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam.

The entire stretch will comprise 34 viaducts, 19 major bridges, and 153 minor bridges. This expressway will not only improve connectivity between these two states but also between the rest of the country and the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. 

The project is poised to become the shortest and fastest freight route for trucks and heavy vehicles bound for Silchar and further east.

The corridor will also spur economic development, including development of industries in Meghalaya, as it passes through cement and coal production areas of Meghalaya, a government release said.