The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has granted a contract worth Rs 5,730 crore for the long-awaited 121-kilometer Guwahati Ring Road project in Assam. This significant infrastructure initiative is designed to alleviate traffic congestion in Guwahati and improve transportation connections throughout Assam and its neighboring states.
Infracon Pvt Ltd secured the contract under the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) framework, which includes a 30-year concession period, of which four years are allocated for construction. NHAI intends to commence construction following the monsoon season in 2025. The project will be executed in three phases: the first phase will establish a 55.54-kilometer greenfield corridor from Baihata Chariali to Sonapur; the second phase will involve the widening of a 7.76-kilometer segment of National Highway 27 (NH-27); and the final phase will upgrade 58 kilometers of NH-27, incorporating the construction of a 3-kilometer bridge over the Brahmaputra River.
The initiative aims to redirect freight and interstate traffic from the congested roads of Guwahati, thereby enhancing urban mobility and alleviating the strain on the city’s transportation system. Officials have indicated that the Guwahati Ring Road will be instrumental in mitigating traffic congestion, reducing air and noise pollution, and bolstering the logistics framework throughout the Northeast. The project aligns closely with the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development and improved multimodal connectivity.
Authorities see this initiative not merely as a road project, but as a catalyst for economic transformation in the region. An NHAI spokesperson referred to the project as a ‘regional transformation initiative,’ highlighting that the ring road will create new trade corridors and promote economic growth across Assam and the wider Northeast. The official also reaffirmed NHAI’s dedication to high-quality construction and sustainable development, promising timely project delivery.
