Is the Govt Really Setting the Northeast Up as India’s Growth Region?

Mumbai, May 1 (NationPress) The government is on a mission to transform the northeast region into India’s growth hub by uniting all eight states, as stated by Union Minister for Communications and the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia.

During a meeting aimed at boosting investments in the area with industry leaders in Mumbai, the minister underscored the government’s strategic vision to establish the northeast as a new growth engine for the nation, according to a statement from the Ministry of Development of North-East Region.

“Our objective is to integrate these eight states into a cohesive development strategy as India’s growth engine,” the minister asserted, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable growth in the region.

The upcoming ‘Rising Northeast Investment Summit 2025’ is scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on May 23-24.

The Union Minister conducted several discussions in Mumbai with prominent industrialists, such as Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and N. Chandrasekaran (Tata Sons).

These meetings are part of ongoing efforts in preparation for the Investment Summit.

The minister also shared significant initiatives by the ministry, including the formation of a High-Level Task Force with the Chief Ministers of all eight northeastern states and the establishment of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in each state, among other efforts.

Dharmvir Jha, Statistical Advisor in the Ministry of DoNER, showcased key investment avenues across all eight northeastern states.

The discussions centered around growth sectors unique to the region, such as agro-based industries, textiles, and tourism.

The ‘Rising Northeast Summit 2025’ aims to sustain this momentum by uniting key stakeholders, investors, and policymakers on a single platform to tap into the region’s economic potential.

In parallel, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the development, maintenance, and management of a 4-lane greenfield access-controlled 166.80 km National Highway from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam at a total capital cost of Rs. 22,864 crore.

In total, 144.80 km of the highway project is located in Meghalaya, while the remaining 22 km is in Assam.

This corridor is set to enhance connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya and will catalyze economic growth, particularly in the industrial sectors of Meghalaya, as it traverses through vital areas for cement and coal production.