The Union government and north eastern states will jointly prepare a comprehensive infrastructure masterplan to address gaps in roads, railways, airways, waterways, logistics, and digital connectivity in the region.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on “Logistics, Infrastructure, and Connectivity in the North East Region”, chaired by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and attended by Union Minister for DoNER Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Mizoram Minister Prof. Lalnilawma, and Sikkim Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia.
The meeting discussed state-specific challenges and ways to integrate state budgets with national investments under the vision of Viksit NER @ 2047.
Assam CM Sarma highlighted the strategic importance of the North East as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and pointed to high transportation costs as a major bottleneck.
He said the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, connecting the region to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port, is progressing rapidly.
Arunachal CM Khandu sought better road links to remote villages through PMGSY, more flights from Hollongi Airport, and a stronger role for the North Eastern Council as a think tank. Mizoram’s Lalnilawma stressed that high logistics costs make local products less competitive and called for improved digital connectivity. Sikkim’s Bhutia pushed for an alternative to landslide-prone NH-10 and climate-resilient infrastructure to boost trade with Nepal.
Scindia proposed five key steps: preparing a regional infrastructure grid, monitoring priority projects, giving incentives for multimodal logistics parks, improving cross-border connectivity, and strengthening digital and power infrastructure. He also urged states to map all projects on the PM GatiShakti Portal and update their logistics policies before the next NEC session.
The HLTF is one of eight task forces formed after the 72nd NEC Plenary Session in December 2024 to focus on areas like tourism, agriculture, investment, sports, and infrastructure for self-reliance in essential commodities.