India is developing a new trade and connectivity corridor to link Kolkata with its northeastern states by bypassing Bangladesh, using sea routes and roads through Myanmar.
According to a report by The Indian Express, this alternative route will connect with a proposed four-lane highway from Shillong to Silchar, currently under construction.
A senior official from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), speaking to The Indian Express, confirmed the project.
While the official’s name was not disclosed, he stated that the route blueprint has been finalized and discussions with Myanmar have already taken place.
The Indian government has proposed a 167 km-long four-lane national highway (part of National Highway-6) from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, to Silchar in Assam’s Barak Valley.
The Indian government has proposed a 167 km-long four-lane national highway (part of National Highway-6) from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, to Silchar in Assam’s Barak Valley.
This road will extend to Paikan, near the Myanmar border, and will be constructed by NHIDCL.
The sea leg of the route will run from Kolkata to Myanmar’s Sittwe port in Rakhine State.
From there, cargo will travel via the Kaladan River to Paletwa and then continue by road to Zorinpui in Mizoram. This route will eventually connect to Lunglei and Aizawl.
On April 30, the Indian Cabinet approved a budget of ₹22,864 crore for the project, which includes 144 km of highway in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam.
The decision to bypass Bangladesh stems from diplomatic tensions following political changes in Dhaka on August 5, which saw former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina removed from power and Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed as the interim government`s chief advisor.
The decision to bypass Bangladesh stems from diplomatic tensions following political changes in Dhaka on August 5, which saw former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina removed from power and Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed as the interim government`s chief advisor.
Since then, bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have cooled significantly.
If successful, the corridor will facilitate cargo transport from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata to the northeast, enhancing economic activity in the region.
It will also reduce travel time between Shillong and Silchar from 8.5 hours to 5 hours, and strengthen India`s strategic military position in the northeast against China.
Currently, India’s access to the northeast through Bangladesh is virtually inactive, making the Siliguri Corridor—known as the “Chicken’s Neck”—the only viable land link.
This has prompted India to turn to the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project via Myanmar.
India aims to complete the project by 2030, although its feasibility remains uncertain due to instability in Myanmar. Much of Rakhine State, where the Sittwe port is located, is under the control of the rebel Arakan Army, not the military junta.
