Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday, 15 June 2026, inaugurated the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in Shillong, Meghalaya, calling for accelerated infrastructure investment across the Northeastern region to drive connectivity, trade, tourism, and economic growth. The two-day summit marks one of the most significant gatherings of infrastructure policymakers and industry stakeholders focused exclusively on the eight Northeastern states.

Summit Overview

The event is being held from 15 to 16 June at the Lariti International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture in Shillong, bringing together policymakers, infrastructure experts, private investors, public sector agencies, and development partners from across the country. An accompanying exhibition showcases infrastructure projects, technological innovations, and development models tailored to the region's unique geographic and economic context.

Key Arrivals and Inaugural Session

Earlier on Monday, Gadkari was received at Umroi Airport by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who later joined him at the inaugural session. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also attended, alongside senior government officials and representatives from private infrastructure companies and development partners.

Strategic Importance of the Northeast

Participants at the summit underlined the Northeast's role as India's gateway to Southeast Asia, stressing the need for sustained investments in roads, highways, logistics networks, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital connectivity. This comes amid a broader national push under the Act East Policy, which positions the region as a critical corridor linking India to ASEAN markets. The Northeast has seen significant investments in national highways, bridges, airports, railway connectivity, and border trade corridors in recent years.

Investment and Industry Agenda

Industry representatives are expected to explore investment opportunities in transportation, tourism, urban development, sustainable infrastructure, and smart technologies over the two days. The summit is designed to serve as a structured platform for deliberations on both ongoing and upcoming infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving the movement of people and goods across the region. Notably, this edition of NEIINFRA arrives at a time when the Centre has consistently prioritised Northeast integration with national and international markets as a strategic economic objective.

What Comes Next

The summit is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, 16 June with thematic discussions, business engagements, and policy deliberations centred on infrastructure-led growth. The outcomes of these sessions are expected to feed into future project planning and investment frameworks for the region.