In what could mark a watershed moment in Meghalaya’s connectivity push, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday asserted that the survey work for the ambitious Greenfield Shillong-Silchar high-speed corridor will reach completion by the end of this year, despite formidable challenges posed by difficult terrain and monsoon disruptions. The 166.80 km corridor—144.80 km within Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam—has been sanctioned at an unprecedented cost of ₹22,864 crore, making it one of the highest sanctioned projects in the North Eastern region.
“I had a very long review meeting with my officials from PWD Department, NHIDCL, Revenue Department with all the respective DCs to get the first-hand information about the progress of the Greenfield high-speed Corridor of 166.80 kilometres starting from Mawlyngkhung (Umiam) upto Panchgram side upto the border of Assam and I’m happy to inform all of you that the survey in Ri Bhoi district, Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills is more or less completed. Now in the stage of notification and that is starting from the 3(a) section of this annex act acquisition. I am very sure may be by end of this year we will be able to complete even the East Jaintia Hills,” Tynsong said.
Admitting the “very very deep inside” topography of East Jaintia Hills has slowed down surveyors who often trek for hours, the Deputy CM said the NHIDCL and District Administrations will resume intensive ground work in October once monsoon subsides. “I’m very sure they’ll be able to complete survey, the detailed survey of this alignment will be completed most likely by end of this year,” he said, underscoring the government’s commitment to push forward what he described as a “national project.”
The project’s Section 3(a) notification—issued on August 5, 2025 under the National Highways Act, 1956—warns against any new construction in the earmarked alignment as such structures will not be eligible for compensation during land acquisition. The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) has already been appointed to fast-track the process.
In addition, Tynsong reviewed progress on the Tura Bypass, informing that it has also reached the advanced stage. “The second review meeting is about the status of Tura Bypass, again here also we are in the final stage of publication of the 3G and 3G as you are aware, that we are reaching to the stage of identify the land owners for disbursement of the land compensation. So, everything is on track and I’m very sure again within this year we will be able to disburse the land compensation in the Tura bypass,” he maintained.
