Cabinet approves construction of 4 Lane Highway from Baihata Chariali - 6th August 2026 - Ministry of Road Transport and Highways - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the development of the 135.871 km, 4-lane access-controlled Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor on NH-15 in Assam on August 6, 2026. This project, valued at Rs. 8,970.20 crore, will be executed via the Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Toll Mode. The corridor aims to double travel speeds and halve transit times while providing seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Points / Main Content

Project Scope and Infrastructure

• The project covers a total length of 135.871 km, excluding the 15.11 km Mangaldoi Bypass.
• Infrastructure includes 15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 38 flyovers, and 46 underpasses.
• A 210 km service road will be constructed to facilitate local traffic and maintain the corridor's access-controlled status.
• Specialized features include a 4.9 km Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the Tezpur Bypass and one Elephant Under Pass.

Congestion Management and Strategic Facilities

• Construction of five major bypasses (58.7 km) will decongest populated areas including Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli, and Tezpur.
• The Emergency Landing Facility has been finalized in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The corridor is designed to decongest the existing NH-27 on the south side of the Brahmaputra River.

Economic and Regional Connectivity

• The project links eight PM Gati-Shakti Economic Nodes (Industrial Parks) and two Aspirational districts (Darrang and Udalguri).
• Enhanced access will be provided to three major tourist sites: Maa Kamakhaya Temple, Kaziranga National Park, and Orang National Park.
• The route connects seven logistic nodes, including three major railway stations, two airports, and two waterway terminals.

Operational Benefits

• Projected increase in average travel speeds by 100% and a 50% reduction in travel time.
• Improvements in road safety, fuel efficiency, and a reduction in overall vehicle operating costs.

Impact Analysis

Commuters and Logistics Operators Impact Users will experience significantly faster travel times and lower vehicle operating costs. Connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for goods and passengers will be faster and more seamless. Action Required Prepare for transition to the new corridor and comply with toll payment requirements under the BOT model.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Impact The IAF will gain a strategic 4.9 km Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) integrated into the highway infrastructure. Action Required Maintain ongoing coordination for the technical finalization and operational readiness of the ELF.

Local Residents and Businesses in Densely Populated Areas Impact Reduced traffic congestion and improved safety in urban centers such as Sipajhar and Kharupetia due to the diversion of through-traffic to bypasses. Action Required Utilize the 210 km of dedicated service roads for local movement to maintain the integrity of the access-controlled main highway.

Project Developers and Investors Impact The project offers a large-scale investment opportunity under the Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Toll Mode. Action Required Fulfill the contractual obligations for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the corridor as per the BOT framework.