In a significant move to accelerate development in India’s strategically vital North Eastern Region, a high-level task force has resolved to formulate a comprehensive regional master plan. The decision came during a pivotal meeting chaired by Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as co-chair. The meeting saw a convergence of senior officials from all eight northeastern states and key central ministries, all focused on finding state-specific solutions to bolster connectivity.
Chief Minister Sarma underlined the region’s critical role as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, while acknowledging that despite considerable infrastructure gains since 2014, high transportation costs remain a major stumbling block. The states were quick to echo these concerns. The Mizoram delegation, for instance, highlighted how steep logistics expenses were inflating commodity prices. Meanwhile, Sikkim flagged the yearly disruption on NH-10 due to landslides and monsoon damage, calling for the development of climate-resilient alternative routes and enhanced infrastructure at its border trade points with Nepal. Arunachal Pradesh also sought improved road and air connectivity to its remote and mountainous terrains.
Responding to these pressing needs, Minister Scindia outlined a forward-looking strategy. The plan envisions a unified NER infrastructure grid, improved monitoring of key projects, and the promotion of multimodal logistics hubs with specific incentives. Furthermore, it aims to expand cross-border trade facilities and fortify the region’s digital and power transmission systems. All projects under the proposed master plan will be seamlessly integrated into the PM GatiShakti portal for streamlined execution, while states have been urged to update their respective logistics policies ahead of the next North Eastern Council session. The HLTF, one of eight such focused groups constituted by the Centre this year, is now tasked with drafting this long-term blueprint, which is expected to be a game-changer for the Northeast’s connectivity and economic potential.
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