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.

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