Assam to Arunachal: Centre approves NH-115 upgrade to boost Northeast connectivity

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The central government has approved a road development project connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which is slated for completion by the end of 2025-26 financial year.

The project focuses on upgrading a key stretch of National Highway 115 (NH-115), which extends from Islampur, near the Dhola-Sadiya bridge, to the Shantipur Border Outpost in Assam's Tinsukia district. This stretch will be transformed from a standard two-lane road into a two-lane road with paved shoulders to provide better safety, capacity, and durability.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved Rs 50.43 crore for the project, with Rs 48.80 crore allocated for the 2024–25 financial year. The proposal was submitted by the Chief Engineer (NH), PWD Assam on February 5, 2025. The work will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, ensuring adherence to high engineering standards and quality.

The construction of the two-lane road with paved shoulders is expected to be completed by the end of the 2025–26 financial year. The government has also set aside Rs 1.17 crore for road maintenance from 2026 to 2029 to infrastructure upkeep.

Notably, the NH-115 serves as a lifeline for the Northeast, including both strategic and economic purposes. It enhances connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, two states with rich cultural ties and critical geopolitical significance. The region's terrain and frequent disruptions in transport make reliable road infrastructure essential. Once completed, the upgraded route will improve the movement of goods and passengers, cut travel time, and support emergency and defence logistics.

This project is part of a broader push to improve the infrastructure in the Northeast under the Ministry’s NH(O)-NE fund, as per Demand No. 86 in the 2024–25 budget.