North East India Is No Longer Peripheral But Central To India’s Growth: Prime Minister

Posted 15 Sep 2025

2 min read

Article Summary

The Prime Minister highlighted North East India's transformation into a growth driver through connectivity, infrastructure, and development schemes, despite ongoing challenges like security, terrain, and economic issues.

Highlighting the Act East vision for the North Eastern Region (NER), Prime Minister underscored the transformation of the NER from a Frontier Region to the Front-Runner of Growth.

Steps taken for the growth of NER

Act East Policy: Northeast as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia with EAST (Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform)Formula, covering connectivity, healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
Infrastructure Development
- Railways: E.g. Bairabi–Sairang line connects Aizawl (Mizoram) to national rail for the first time since independence.
- Highways: 16,207 km of National Highways constructed as of July, 2025 including Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, Chhimtuipui River Bridge, etc.
- Digital & Air Connectivity: E.g. BharatNet has strengthened Gram Panchayat connectivity, and UDAN scheme has expanded air routes, linking underserved airports and heliports.
Financial Assistance & Development Schemes: E.g. A separate Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) provides financial assistance through schemes like PM-DevINE to support infrastructure, connectivity, and communication projects.
Governance and Transparency: E.g. Poorvottar Vikas Setu (PVS) Portal has made project approval and monitoring faster, more efficient, and transparent.

Challenges to overcome for further development of NER

Connectivity – Difficult terrain, floods, dependence on Siliguri Corridor, etc.
Security – Insurgency (e.g. ULFA, NSCN), ethnic clashes (e.g. Assam–Mizoram 2021, Manipur 2023), porous borders leading to migration and trafficking.
Economy – Subsistence farming, weak industry, low investment, high youth outmigration.
Society – Tribal identity concerns, demographic pressures from migration (e.g. NRC issue in Assam), etc.