Connecting the North East

01 Sep 2023 CW Team

The challenging yet crucial terrain of India’s Northeast requires attention for both equitable development and strategic border security. Encompassing eight states across 2,62,476 sq km, the region comprises 8 per cent of India's land but lacks connectivity. To enhance infrastructure and security, the Central Government has allocated Rs 1.6 trillion for new projects. Arunachal Pradesh received the highest allotment at Rs 440 billion, followed by Assam (Rs 380 billion), Manipur (Rs 154.99 billion), Meghalaya (Rs 125 billion), Tripura (Rs 124.26 billion), Mizoram (Rs 66.64 billion), Sikkim (Rs 20 billion) and Nagaland (Rs 32.35 billion). National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is executing six projects worth Rs 185.39 billion.

Background
The North East shares a 5,483-km boundary with neighbouring countries, offering connectivity to ASEAN nations and rich natural resources. Despite its strategic location, the region lagged in development owing to tough terrain, insurgency, corruption and neglect. After the 1962 Indo-China War, isolationist policies aimed to deter invasion. But recent times have seen the inception of developmental projects to integrate the region, improving security and growth. Projects include highways, tunnels, bridges, airports, rail and waterways, shedding the isolationist policy and enhancing connectivity with the rest of India through the river network, like the Brahmaputra and Barak.

Speaking at the Infrastructure Today - North East Conclave in Guwahati, Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of Transport, Government of Assam, mentioned that infrastructure will not just bring road and rail connectivity but will also bring “Dil ka connectivity”, highlighting the long-term effects of ‘isolationism’, causing a disconnect between the populous of the North East Region (NER) and the rest of the country.

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