Assam: Work to boost connectivity in the Northeast is progressing rapidly.
Assam: The central government informed Parliament on January 30 that connectivity projects in the North Eastern Region have gained momentum, with significant expansion in road, rail, and digital infrastructure.
The government stated that these projects aim to integrate the region more closely with the national economy, improve access to essential services, and boost employment and economic activity.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, said that the length of National Highways in the Northeast has increased rapidly over the past decade, from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km as of April 1, 2025. He added that a total of 177 National Highway projects with a length of 3,635 km are currently underway in the region at various stages of implementation, with an estimated cost of ₹87,119 crore.
Significant progress has also been made in rural connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Since the inception of the scheme, 17,666 road projects covering 89,503 km and 2,396 bridge projects have been sanctioned in the North Eastern states. Of these, 16,547 road projects covering 81,448 km and 2,126 bridges have already been completed, at a total cost of ₹53,353.49 crore, including the states’ share.
Dr. Majumdar said that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has independently sanctioned 647 road and bridge projects under its various schemes at a cost of ₹8,260.88 crore. Of these, 500 projects worth ₹4,915 crore have been completed, further strengthening inter-regional connectivity.
On rail infrastructure, the Minister stated that railway projects are planned and implemented on a zonal basis as they often span across multiple states and districts. As of April 1, 2025, a total of 12 railway projects have been sanctioned in the Northeast, including eight new lines and four doubling projects, spanning a total length of 777 km with an estimated cost of ₹69,342 crore. Of this, 278 km has already been commissioned.
Digital connectivity has also expanded rapidly. The Department of Telecommunications has made 6,355 Gram Panchayats in the region service-ready for high-bandwidth internet connectivity under the BharatNet project by December 2025. Additionally, under the government-funded 4G saturation project and other mobile initiatives, 3,718 mobile towers have been installed, covering 5,366 villages and locations across the Northeast.
The government stated that the timelines for implementing these projects depend on factors such as difficult terrain, land availability, statutory clearances, and the unique logistical challenges of the region. Despite these hurdles, the Centre emphasized that sustained investment in connectivity is crucial for the long-term development of the Northeast.
According to the government, the benefits of these projects include faster movement of essential goods and agricultural produce, improved market access, growth in tourism and industry, increased employment opportunities, and stronger socio-economic integration of the Northeast with the rest of the country. Dr. Majumdar stated that the focus on connectivity is a key pillar of the Centre’s broader strategy aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the Northeastern states and ensuring balanced regional development.
