The Government of India has made significant strides in bolstering infrastructure and connectivity across the North Eastern Region (NER), with massive investments and implementation under various flagship schemes. The details were shared by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Road Transport and Highways Development
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H), which oversees National Highways, has constructed 16,207 kilometres of National Highways in the NER. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 17,637 rural road projects spanning 89,436 km and 2,398 bridges were sanctioned, out of which 80,933 km of roads and 2,108 bridges have been completed.
Rail Connectivity Projects
The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned 12 railway projects (including 8 new lines and 4 doubling works) covering 777 km at a cost of Rs. 69,342 crore. As of 1 April 2025, 278 km has been commissioned, and Rs. 41,676 crore has been expended.
Digital and Telecom Connectivity
To enhance digital infrastructure in remote regions of the NER:
- 6,355 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project.
- 3,297 mobile towers have been commissioned under various centrally funded mobile service schemes.
- These initiatives have been supported under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to ensure better broadband and mobile access across rural and remote areas.
Regional Air Connectivity Boost
Under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Regional Connectivity Scheme, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalised 90 air routes across the NER, linking 12 airports and heliports, significantly improving affordable air travel in the region.
Support through MDoNER Schemes
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is supplementing infrastructure and connectivity growth through five key Central Sector Schemes:
- NESIDS (Roads)
- NESIDS (Other Than Roads and Infrastructure – OTRI)
- PM-DevINE
- Schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC)
- Special Development Packages (SDPs)
Among these, PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region), launched in 2022-23, has a budget outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore for a four-year period up to 2025-26. It aims to promote infrastructure development, youth and women’s livelihoods, social development, and reduce gaps in various sectors with 100% central funding.
Tourism Infrastructure Initiatives
Tourism development in the NER is being advanced through both central and state efforts. The Ministry of Tourism, through its schemes like:
- Swadesh Darshan and Swadesh Darshan 2.0
- Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
- Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
- PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive)
provides financial assistance to the states, including the northeastern ones, to enhance tourism infrastructure.
MDoNER also funds tourism promotion through its own central sector schemes, supplementing the efforts of the state governments.
These cumulative efforts mark a comprehensive and integrated approach to transforming the North East into a hub of connectivity, growth, and opportunity, in line with the Union Government’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
