The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has approved a major infrastructure initiative with the sanctioning of ₹951.27 crore for the Tura Bypass Project in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. Spanning 29.03 km, the project is aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Tura town, enhancing urban safety, and streamlining long-distance mobility.
Announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari via social media, the bypass will be developed as a two-lane road with paved shoulders. It will serve as a connector between National Highway 127B and National Highway 217 (previously NH-51), a key route that links Guwahati to Dalu near the Bangladesh border.
The new bypass will start at Sanchonggre village on NH-127B and terminate at Jenggitchakgre village on NH-217. Currently, NH-217 runs through the densely populated urban core of Tura, causing frequent traffic bottlenecks due to narrow roads and high vehicle volume.
By diverting through-traffic away from the city center, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve road safety. It is also seen as a strategic development move to boost connectivity and economic growth in the region.
