National Highway 2: A Key Route in Northeast India

National Highway 2 (NH 2) Overview

Route: Likely starts in Dibrugarh, Assam, and ends in Tuipang, Mizoram, covering 1,325.6 km.
States: Passes through Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
Key Towns: Connects Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Amguri, Mokokchung, Wokha, Kohima, Imphal, Churachandpur, Seling, Serchhip, Lawngtlai, and Tuipang.
Intersections: Connects with multiple highways like NH 15, NH 29, NH 37, and NH 6, enhancing regional connectivity.
Note: There may be confusion with the old NH 2. It is now NH 19, Delhi to Kolkata. Current data suggests NH 2 refers to the northeastern route.

Route and Length
National Highway 2 (NH 2) seems to be a vital artery in northeastern India, stretching approximately 1,325.6 kilometers from Dibrugarh in Assam to Tuipang in Mizoram. It connects four states, making it essential for regional trade and travel.

Significant Towns
The highway links several important towns. Major cities like Kohima and Imphal are included. These cities are capitals of Nagaland and Manipur, respectively. These towns are key economic and cultural hubs in the region.

Intersecting Highways
NH 2 intersects with several other national highways. These include NH 15 in Dibrugarh, NH 29 in Kohima, NH 37 in Imphal, and NH 6 in Seling. These connections link NH 2 to other parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram, as well as international borders.

Visual Representation
The chart above shows the approximate distances between major towns along NH 2. It provides a visual guide to its route.

Overview

National Highway 2 (NH 2) is a primary national highway in India. It runs from Dibrugarh in Assam to Tuipang in Mizoram. Spanning 1,325.6 kilometers (823.7 miles). It crosses the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The highway serves as a critical link for the northeastern region of India. This highway helps move goods, people, and military resources. It significantly contributes to the economic and social integration of the region. It is part of the Asian Highway network. The Imphal to Kohima stretch is included in Asian Highway 1 (AH1). It is also a part of Asian Highway 2 (AH2). Historically, NH 2 included segments that were numbered as NH 37, 61, 39, 150, and 54. This was before the 2010 renumbering by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Route and Significant Towns

NH 2 begins at its junction with NH 15 near Dibrugarh in Assam and terminates at Tuipang in Mizoram. The highway connects several significant towns and cities. These towns and cities are pivotal for their economic, administrative, or cultural importance in their respective states. The major towns and cities along NH 2 include:

Dibrugarh, Assam: A major commercial and industrial hub known for its tea industry and oil fields.
Sivasagar, Assam: A historical city famous for its Ahom dynasty monuments.
Amguri, Assam: An important town in the Sivasagar district, known for its agricultural contributions.
Mokokchung, Nagaland: A cultural and educational center in Nagaland.
Wokha, Nagaland: Known for its rich biodiversity and agricultural produce.
Kohima, Nagaland: The capital city, a significant administrative and cultural hub.
Imphal, Manipur: The capital city, a major center for trade and culture in Manipur.
Churachandpur, Manipur: A key town known for its diverse tribal communities.
Seling, Mizoram: A town along the route, important for local connectivity.
Serchhip, Mizoram: A district headquarters known for its scenic beauty.
Lawngtlai, Mizoram: A growing administrative and commercial center.
Tuipang, Mizoram: The southern terminus, near the Myanmar border.

The route includes historical segments such as the “Tedim Road” from Imphal to Churachandpur. It was constructed during the British Raj. Another segment is the “Tipaimukh Road” from Churachandpur to Sipuikawn.

Intersecting National Highways

NH 2 intersects with numerous national highways, enhancing connectivity across the northeastern states and beyond. Below is a detailed list of these intersections, including the highways, their intersection points, and the routes they connect:

Highway	Intersection Point	Route Description
NH 15	Dibrugarh, Assam	Connects Baihata in Assam to Wakro in Arunachal Pradesh, covering approximately 664 km. It passes through Mangaldai, Dhekiajuli, Tezpur, Banderdeva, and North Lakhimpur. The route also connects Kulajan, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Rupai, and Mahadevpur. It facilitates connectivity in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
NH 215	Near Moranhat, Assam	Runs from Mahadevpur to Dibrugarh in Assam, a short highway enhancing local connectivity in the Dibrugarh region.
NH 702C	Near Sivasagar, Assam	Connects Sibsagar to Sonari in Assam. It is a spur road of NH 2 and covers approximately 48 km. It supports local trade and movement.
NH 715	Near Jhanji, Assam	Links Tezpur to Jhanji in Assam, covering about 197 km, connecting key towns in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley.
NH 702	Near Chantongia, Nagaland	Connects Chantongia to Sapekhati via Longleng, Mon, Lapa, Tizit, and Sonari in Nagaland and Assam, enhancing cross-state connectivity.
NH 702D	Near Mokokchung, Nagaland	Runs from Mokokchung in Nagaland to Jorhat in Assam, a spur of NH 2, supporting defense and goods movement.
NH 202	Near Mokokchung, Nagaland; Near Imphal, Manipur	Connects Mokokchung to Imphal and other regions, with specific routes varying by segment.
NH 702A	Near Mokokchung, Nagaland	Links Mokokchung to Jessami via Zunheboto, Satakha, Runguzu, and Phek in Nagaland and Manipur.
NH 29	Near Kohima, Nagaland	Runs from Dabaka in Assam to Jessami in Manipur, covering 338.5 km through Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Kohima, and Chizami, a key route in the region.
NH 102A	Near Tadubi, Manipur	A spur road with limited details, connecting local areas in Manipur.
NH 129A	Near Maram, Manipur	Another spur road, enhancing connectivity in Manipur’s hilly regions.
NH 102	Near Imphal, Manipur	Connects Imphal to other parts of Manipur, with specific routes varying.
NH 37	Near Imphal, Manipur	Runs from Badarpur near Karimganj in Assam to Imphal in Manipur. It covers 356 km. It connects key towns like Silchar and Jiribam.
NH 137A	Near Imphal, Manipur	A spur road, providing local connectivity in Manipur.
NH 102B	Near Churachandpur, Manipur	Enhances connectivity in the Churachandpur region.
NH 306A	Near Vertek, Mizoram	A spur road, connecting local areas in Mizoram.
NH 6	Near Seling, Mizoram	Connects Jorabat in Assam to Zokhawthar in Mizoram near the India-Myanmar border. It covers 667 km through Shillong, Jowai, Badarpur, Kolasib, and Aizawl.
NH 302	Near Theriat, Mizoram	A spur road, enhancing connectivity in Mizoram.
NH 502A	Near Lawngtlai, Mizoram	Connects local areas in Mizoram, with limited details available.
NH 502	Near Venus Saddle, Mizoram	Another spur road, supporting connectivity near the Myanmar border.

Additional Notes

Historical Context: Before the 2010 renumbering, NH 2 was part of various old highways (NH 37, 61, 39, 150, 54). The old NH 2 connected Delhi to Kolkata. It is now designated as NH 19 and part of NH 44. This change causes potential confusion in older references.
Strategic Importance: NH 2 is close to the India-Myanmar border. Its inclusion in Asian Highways 1 and 2 highlights its strategic value for regional trade and security.
Infrastructure: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) maintains the highway. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) also plays a role in its maintenance. There are ongoing efforts to upgrade it to two lanes in certain sections for better traffic flow.
Tourism and Economy: NH 2 connects scenic and culturally rich areas. It boosts tourism in places like Kohima, Imphal, and Aizawl. It also supports economic activities in Assam’s tea and oil industries.