New Guwahati to Tezpur Highway Project Worth 8970 Crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has officially approved a new 135.87-kilometer, 4-lane access-controlled highway connecting Guwahati to Tezpur in Assam. This major infrastructure project, which will follow the NH-15 route, is estimated to cost ₹8,970.20 crore and will be built under the Build-Operate-Transfer toll model. The project aims to reduce travel time between the two cities by nearly half and will help manage heavy traffic flow currently seen on the existing NH-27 East-West Corridor.
Strategic Design and Traffic Management
A primary feature of this new highway is the inclusion of five major bypasses covering 58.7 kilometers to divert long-distance freight traffic away from busy urban areas. These bypasses will specifically help reduce congestion in towns like Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli, and Tezpur. Furthermore, the project includes a 4.9-kilometer Emergency Landing Facility on the Tezpur Bypass, which is being developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force. This infrastructure design focuses on improving both civilian travel efficiency and national strategic capabilities.
Engineering Features and Wildlife Safety
The construction plan includes 15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 19 flyovers, 46 underpasses, and 210 kilometers of dedicated local service roads. To address environmental concerns, the design features a dedicated elephant underpass along the Tezpur Bypass section to allow for safe wildlife movement. These engineering safeguards are integrated to balance development needs with environmental protection and local accessibility.
Economic Impact and Regional Connectivity
This highway project is set to strengthen transit across eight PM Gati-Shakti economic nodes and provide better connectivity to aspirational districts such as Darrang and Udalguri. The road will improve travel access to significant logistics hubs and tourist destinations, including Orang National Park and Kaziranga National Park. Additionally, it will serve as a vital link for routes leading into Arunachal Pradesh. The completion of this corridor is expected to boost regional trade and tourism by creating a seamless transport network across the state.