Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed central approval for the Rs 154.31 billion four-laning of the Baihata Chariali–Mission Chariali–Tezpur stretch of National Highway-15 (NH-15). He said the scheme will include five major urban bypasses and a strategic emergency landing facility and described the project as a major step towards accelerating infrastructure-led development that improves access to economic opportunities across the region. The Centre has cleared the detailed proposal and the state will coordinate land acquisition and implementation through its agencies. The project is designed to strengthen links between central and upper Assam by widening and upgrading a key section of NH-15, one of the state’s primary transport corridors. Officials said the upgrade aims to reduce travel time, ease traffic congestion and enhance road safety while supporting smoother movement of goods and passengers along the route. Planners expect the works to benefit freight operations and passenger travel and to improve the reliability of logistics chains that serve local markets. The upgraded highway is also expected to improve connectivity to important commercial centres, educational institutions and tourist destinations, and to facilitate firmer ties with neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. The Baihata Chariali–Mission Chariali–Tezpur corridor serves as a crucial link connecting Guwahati with Sonitpur and several districts of upper Assam, carrying substantial interregional traffic. Local authorities anticipate that the bypasses will ease urban traffic, shorten journey times through congested stretches and reduce the burden on town centres. The scheme forms part of the Centre’s broader push to modernise highway infrastructure in the Northeast, which officials say has seen substantial recent investment in roads, bridges, railways and airports. The Assam government has maintained that better transport infrastructure is crucial for attracting investment, generating employment and ensuring balanced regional development across districts. The Chief Minister has emphasised infrastructure development as a priority and said improved connectivity is essential for driving economic growth and enhancing public services for people across the state.