The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a four-lane, access-controlled highway corridor connecting Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam. The 135.871-kilometre project will form part of National Highway 15 and is expected to improve road connectivity across the region. The corridor has been approved with a total estimated investment of ₹8,970.20 crore.
The highway will be developed under the Build-Operate-Transfer toll model, in which a private concessionaire typically finances, constructs and operates the project for a specified period. The corridor is intended to provide smoother connectivity to important economic, social and logistics centres across Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. It is also expected to support the movement of passengers and commercial goods through northeastern India.
A significant component of the project is the proposed construction of a 4.9-kilometre Emergency Landing Facility along the Tezpur bypass. The facility has been finalised in coordination with the Indian Air Force and will enable a designated section of the road to support aircraft operations during emergencies. Its inclusion adds a strategic dimension to the highway project beyond its civilian transport benefits.
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The corridor is also expected to reduce pressure on the existing National Highway 27, which forms part of the East-West Corridor on the southern side of the Brahmaputra River. By creating an alternative high-capacity route, the project aims to improve traffic distribution and reduce congestion. Access-controlled design is expected to support faster travel by regulating entry and exit points along the highway.
The approved plan includes five major bypasses covering a combined length of 58.7 kilometres. These bypasses will divert through-traffic away from densely populated areas, including Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur. The measure is expected to ease congestion within these settlements while improving road safety and reducing delays for long-distance travellers and freight operators.
Once completed, the Guwahati–Tezpur corridor is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and provide more reliable access to commercial and logistics hubs. Improved road infrastructure could also support economic activity and access to essential services across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The project’s progress will depend on timely land availability, construction approvals and implementation under the approved toll-based development model.
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