The Union Cabinet has approved a major highway project connecting Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam, with an estimated cost of Rs 89.70 billion. The 135.87 km corridor will be developed as a four-lane, access-controlled highway on NH-15 and will be implemented on a build-operate-transfer (Toll) basis under the National Highways (Original) programme.
A notable feature of the project is the inclusion of a 4.9 km emergency landing facility (ELF) on the Tezpur bypass, being developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force. The highway will also feature five major bypasses, at Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur, covering a total of 58.7 km, along with 15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 19 flyovers, 46 underpasses and a dedicated elephant underpass on the Tezpur bypass. Around 210 km of service roads will be constructed to ensure smooth movement of local traffic alongside the access-controlled main carriageway.
Beyond improving regional connectivity, the corridor is expected to strengthen links between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and provide better access to key economic and social infrastructure. It will enhance connectivity to eight PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, including industrial parks; two aspirational districts, Darrang and Udalguri; three major tourist destinations, Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park; and seven logistics hubs, including major railway stations, airports and inland waterway terminals.