Boosting Northeast India’s Growth: Central Government’s Big Push Under Act East Vision
The Central Government is working hard to bring faster and more inclusive growth to India’s northeastern region through its Act East vision. This means better infrastructure, stronger connectivity, and new opportunities for people living in these states. Let’s dive into the exciting updates from railways, roads, digital links, air travel, and more.
Railways Transforming the Northeast
The Railways Ministry leads the charge with huge investments to fix infrastructure gaps and improve connectivity. Since 2014, the railway budget for the northeast has jumped five times, hitting a total of Rs 62,477 crore. This year alone, Rs 10,440 crore is allocated.
Right now, projects worth Rs 77,000 crore are under construction—the biggest investment ever in the region. A standout is the Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram. This 51-km track, built at over Rs 8,000 crore, will finally connect Aizawl to the national railway network after independence.
Engineers tackled tough terrain with 143 bridges and 45 tunnels. One bridge even towers over the Qutub Minar, making it an engineering wonder, as officials shared.
Roads Getting a Major Upgrade
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) has built 16,207 km of National Highways in the northeast, linking remote areas better than ever.
Take this recent win: In August 2025, the government greenlit a 15-km road project from Mangaldoi to Mazikuchi in Assam. It costs Rs 45.31 crore and falls under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) – Roads. This will make travel smoother for locals.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the region got 17,637 road works covering 89,436 km, plus 2,398 bridges. So far, 16,469 works (80,933 km) and 2,108 bridges are complete. These upgrades are a game-changer for last-mile connectivity in rural spots.
Digital and Air Connectivity on the Rise
Government projects like BharatNet and Digital Bharat Nidhi are lighting up the northeast with better digital access. They’ve made Gram Panchayats ready for services and set up mobile towers everywhere, helping people stay connected.
For air travel, the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s UDAN scheme is a hit. It boosts regional connectivity by starting flights to unserved or underserved airports and heliports. Now, more routes link northeast towns, making travel easier and quicker.
Key Schemes Driving Development
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) supports all eight northeast states with funds for infrastructure, connectivity, and communication projects. They use five Central Sector Schemes: NESIDS (Roads), NESIDS (OTRI), PM-DevINE, North Eastern Council (NEC) schemes, and Special Development Packages (SDPs).
Spotlight on PM-DevINE, the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region. Launched in the 2022–23 Union Budget, it’s fully funded by the Centre with Rs 6,600 crore for 2022–23 to 2025–26. The goal? Build infrastructure under PM GatiShakti, support social projects tailored to local needs, create jobs for youth and women, and fill development gaps in sectors like health and education.
Investors Eyeing Northeast Opportunities
The momentum is building. The recent Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 drew Rs 4.48 lakh crore in investment pledges. Sectors like energy, agro-food processing, tourism, textiles, healthcare, education, IT, entertainment, infrastructure, and logistics are hot favorites. This could mean thousands of jobs and faster growth for the region.
These steps show the government’s commitment to making the northeast a powerhouse of progress. With better roads, rails, and digital links, life is set to improve for millions. Stay tuned for more updates on India’s Northeast development!
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