The Central Government has reviewed infrastructure projects worth Rs 2.33 lakh crore currently under implementation across the North Eastern Region (NER), reaffirming the role of modern infrastructure in achieving the national goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The review was chaired by Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), during a high-level meeting held in Guwahati. The meeting assessed the progress of Central Sector infrastructure projects being executed across the northeastern states.
Addressing officials, the Minister emphasised that integrated physical and digital infrastructure is central to the Prime Minister’s long-term development vision, enabling improved productivity, enhanced connectivity, balanced regional growth, and better quality of life. He noted that sustained infrastructure investment will be critical in making India globally competitive and self-reliant by 2047.
During the review, Joint Secretary Supreet Singh Gulati informed that 221 Central Sector projects, spread across 11 Ministries and Departments, are currently under execution in the North Eastern Region. These projects collectively represent an investment of Rs 2.33 lakh crore.
MoSPI Secretary Dr Saurabh Garg highlighted the importance of institutional monitoring through the Ministry’s Infrastructure and Project Monitoring Division (IPMD) and the PAIMANA portal, which enables systematic, data-driven monitoring of Central Sector projects with a cost of Rs 150 crore and above. He also encouraged State Governments to nominate officials for MoSPI-led capacity-building programmes focused on project planning, execution, and management.
Project-wise reviews were conducted for all 11 participating Ministries. Under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 177 projects covering a total length of 3,634 km were reviewed. The Ministry of Railways presented progress on nine ongoing projects, with the North East Frontier Railway (NFR) highlighting challenges related to difficult terrain, heavy monsoons, landslides, limited working seasons, and remoteness. Despite these constraints, project execution has accelerated, including the inauguration of the Bhairabi–Sairang rail line in Mizoram on 13 September 2025 and the completion of 1,072 route kilometres of railway electrification. NFR sought state-level support for issues such as encroachment removal, land acquisition, law and order, and forest clearances.
The Ministry of Power reviewed nine projects, with Power Grid highlighting challenges in substation and distribution system works in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, including contractor shortages, local disturbances, and delays in compensation within Reserve Forest areas. For NEEPCO’s 186 MW Tato-I Hydroelectric Project, key concerns included completion of evacuation infrastructure and restricted road access due to parallel highway construction.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reviewed 21 projects, flagging issues such as external supply disruptions and land-related delays, particularly for projects initiated during the Covid period. The North East Gas Grid requires pending land acquisition approvals and administrative clearances for 33 km of pipeline. Officials also highlighted the commissioning of the bamboo-based 2G ethanol bio-refinery at Numaligarh, Assam, described as the world’s first of its kind and aligned with national goals of energy self-reliance and the “annadata se urjadata” vision.
Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, three projects with a total investment of Rs 2,534.26 crore were reviewed. Challenges related to the redevelopment of Imphal Airport included highway closures and monsoon-related disruptions, while the runway expansion at Pakyong Airport requires state support for land availability and disposal of excavated material.
The review meeting underscored the Centre’s continued focus on accelerating infrastructure development in the North East, recognising the region’s strategic importance in achieving inclusive growth and long-term national development goals.
