Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam’s Barak Valley on March 14, where he will lay the foundation stone for the Silchar–Guwahati Expressway and launch several key infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and development in the region.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the visit during the inauguration of the Cachar unit of Star Cement on Friday. He said the proposed expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Barak Valley and Guwahati from over eight hours to about four-and-a-half hours.
“The highway from Panchgram to Guwahati via Borapani will reduce travel time to about four and a half hours. The tender process is complete, wildlife board clearance has been obtained, and a large portion of land acquisition has already progressed. Construction will begin soon,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the long-awaited Silchar flyover during the visit, which is expected to improve urban mobility and ease traffic congestion in the city ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
In a post on X, Sarma described the expressway as a “game changer” and said it would be the first among several transformative expressway projects planned to strengthen infrastructure in the Northeast.
Star Cement’s new Cachar unit to boost industrial growth
Earlier in the day, Sarma inaugurated the new Cachar unit of Star Cement, calling it a major milestone in Assam’s industrial development and employment generation.
He said the new facility will help accelerate industrial growth in the Barak Valley and create new job opportunities for local youth.
Emphasising the broader impact of the project, Sarma said the unit reflects the emergence of a “new Assam,” where industrialisation is driving economic prosperity and regional development.
The Chief Minister added that such investments are crucial for strengthening the state’s economy and ensuring balanced growth across regions.