North East Region Sees Major Connectivity And Development Gains

03 Apr 2026 CW Team

Budgetary support for railways has risen sharply, from Rs 21,220 mn per year in the 2009–14 period to Rs 104,400 mn in fiscal 2025–26, supporting several ongoing new line projects. Key rail schemes include Bhairabi–Sairang new line 51 km, Agartala–Sabroom 112 km, Agartala–Akhaura 5 km, Jiribam–Imphal 111 km and Murkongselek–Pasighat 27 km. Enhanced rail connectivity is intended to bolster freight and passenger movement under the Act East Policy.

Telecom infrastructure has expanded, with 6,355 Gram Panchayats made service ready for high speed internet and 3,718 mobile towers commissioned, covering 5,366 villages and locations under government funded projects as of December 2025. Air connectivity under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN, launched on 21 October 2016, has operationalised 90 routes and identified airports and heliports such as Pasighat, Tezu, Hollongi, Jorhat, Lilabari, Rupsi, Tezpur, Dimapur, Shillong and Pakyong. These measures target improved access for commerce and tourism.

A number of hydroelectric projects totalling 5,796 megawatt (MW) of installed capacity have been taken up, including Subansiri Lower 2,000 MW, Dibang Multi?Purpose 2,880 MW and Teesta Stage VI 500 MW. The NER Power System Improvement Project for six States aims to strengthen intra?state transmission and distribution at an estimated cost of Rs 67,000 mn, while a comprehensive scheme for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim carries an estimated cost of Rs 91,293.2 mn. The count of National Waterways in the region has risen from one to 20 with Rs 10,400 mn spent on waterways projects, and official evaluation reports link these investments to tangible trade, border infrastructure and export gains. Project sanctioning is reported to incorporate ecological sensitivity and sustainability measures to balance development with community and environmental protection.

Connectivity in the North East Region has strengthened markedly over the past decade, with National Highways rising from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km as on 31 March 2025. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 46,296 km of rural roads have been constructed in the region at an expenditure of Rs 472,790 mn. These road investments aim to integrate remote areas with markets and services. Budgetary support for railways has risen sharply, from Rs 21,220 mn per year in the 2009–14 period to Rs 104,400 mn in fiscal 2025–26, supporting several ongoing new line projects. Key rail schemes include Bhairabi–Sairang new line 51 km, Agartala–Sabroom 112 km, Agartala–Akhaura 5 km, Jiribam–Imphal 111 km and Murkongselek–Pasighat 27 km. Enhanced rail connectivity is intended to bolster freight and passenger movement under the Act East Policy. Telecom infrastructure has expanded, with 6,355 Gram Panchayats made service ready for high speed internet and 3,718 mobile towers commissioned, covering 5,366 villages and locations under government funded projects as of December 2025. Air connectivity under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN, launched on 21 October 2016, has operationalised 90 routes and identified airports and heliports such as Pasighat, Tezu, Hollongi, Jorhat, Lilabari, Rupsi, Tezpur, Dimapur, Shillong and Pakyong. These measures target improved access for commerce and tourism. A number of hydroelectric projects totalling 5,796 megawatt (MW) of installed capacity have been taken up, including Subansiri Lower 2,000 MW, Dibang Multi?Purpose 2,880 MW and Teesta Stage VI 500 MW. The NER Power System Improvement Project for six States aims to strengthen intra?state transmission and distribution at an estimated cost of Rs 67,000 mn, while a comprehensive scheme for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim carries an estimated cost of Rs 91,293.2 mn. The count of National Waterways in the region has risen from one to 20 with Rs 10,400 mn spent on waterways projects, and official evaluation reports link these investments to tangible trade, border infrastructure and export gains. Project sanctioning is reported to incorporate ecological sensitivity and sustainability measures to balance development with community and environmental protection.

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Technology

13 May 2026

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Infrastructure Urban

13 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..