Meghalaya’s emergence as a key gateway for trade with Bangladesh received a major boost on Monday with the launch of three Japan-funded highway projects worth ₹1,592 crore aimed at strengthening cross-border connectivity and accelerating economic growth in the Northeast.
The projects, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), were among six National Highway projects inaugurated by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during a ceremony in Shillong on January 15.
Together, the corridors are expected to improve connectivity between Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh, while supporting trade, tourism and regional integration under India’s Act East Policy.
A key component of the investment is the Shillong-Dawki highway project, which connects Meghalaya with Bangladesh through the Tamabil border crossing. The upgraded corridor includes a four-lane stretch from Rilbong Junction to Pomlum and is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers to the international border.
Officials said the project will significantly enhance access to Dawki, one of the region’s busiest trade and tourism gateways with Bangladesh.
The other two JICA-supported projects involve the development of nearly 63 km of National Highway-127B between the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge approach and Goeragre via Selsella in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. The projects are expected to improve connectivity in remote areas while creating stronger transport links between Meghalaya and Assam.