Meghalaya eyes corridor through Bangladesh to boost ties with West Bengal

The Indian state's CM highlights the project's uncertain timeline due to Bangladesh's involvement

The Meghalaya government is eager to establish a new economic corridor through Bangladesh to enhance connectivity between the northeastern region and the rest of India.

The state government believes that alongside the existing Hilli-Mahendraganj cross-border economic corridor, a new corridor could be developed, India’s New Delhi Television Limited, or NDTV, reported.

Hili is a border town in West Bengal while Mahendraganj is located in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region.

Both towns share borders with Bangladesh.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the 100-km route could reduce travel time and costs by 25-60 percent, connecting Kolkata to growth centres like Tura, Baghmara, Dalu, and Dawki.

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, or NHIDCL, of India has already sent their report on the road alignment assessment to the Bangladesh government for evaluating the feasibility of the proposed project, said NDTV.

"If a connection is established between Hili in West Bengal and Mahendraganj in Meghalaya through Bangladesh, the distance between Kolkata and places like Meghalaya, Barak Valley, and Tripura will be reduced by 600-700 km," Sangma said.

"This could become a parallel economic corridor. However, it's hard to say when it will happen as it involves the Bangladesh government.

“Before the regime change, New Delhi discussed with Dhaka and it was a prime ministerial level meeting. We will push for it again," he concluded.