India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today stated that the government’s accelerated development initiatives in the North East had transformed country’s ‘Look East Policy’ into ‘Act East Policy,’ leading to all-round development in the region and allowing all states to improve trade with South East Asian nations.
He said, “The Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Master Plan will operate as a force multiplier in the development of infrastructure in the northeast. Whether it is road building, railway expansion, or canal enhancement, we are dedicated to accelerating development through Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti. We’ve also made significant strides in the energy sector. We have assured the growth of Solar and Hydel projects, as well as the provision of power in every nook and cranny.”
He also promised to expand IT and communication infrastructure to every nook and cranny of the northeastern states. “This will assure economic growth, decent governance, and public well-being. I am confident that the North East area is on its way to a prosperous future as a result of the hardworking nature of its young people and the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives “Singh stated.
Central government has announced new sanctioned projects costing Rs 1.6 lakh crore to improve the northeast’s infrastructure and security.
While, Arunachal Pradesh received the highest allocation of Rs 44,000 crore among the northeastern states, Assam received Rs 38,000 crore, Meghalaya received Rs 12,500 crore, Manipur received Rs 15,499 crore, Mizoram received Rs 6,664 crore, Sikkim received Rs 2,000 crore, Tripura received Rs 12,426 crore, and Nagaland received Rs 3,235 crores.
Let’s have a look at these projects, state-wise:
1. Arunachal Pradesh-
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will construct a two-laning of a 1,465-kilometre stretch on the Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs 27,349 crore.
This project will go through the districts of East Kameng and West Kameng, as well as Upper Subansiri, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lohit, Anjaw, and Changlang.
The Frontier Highway will protect the Indo-China-Myanmar border, regulate migration from border areas, and improve the state’s tourism infrastructure.
2. Assam-
Indian government provided Rs 38,000 crore to Assam for the development of highways, four-lane bypasses, and five ropeway projects. It will incorporate the proposed 55-kilometer Northern Guwahati Ring Road, as well as a bridge across the Brahmaputra River, at a cost of Rs 3,626 crore.
3. Meghalaya-
Several road projects in Meghalaya will be built as part of the Indian government’s Rs 12,500 crore budget.
4. Nagaland-
Nagaland received Rs 3,235 crore in three instalments.
5. Manipur-
Manipur has been allocated Rs 15,499 crore for road construction projects spanning 655 kilometres.
6. Sikkim-
Sikkim has been granted Rs 2,000 crore for the construction of a bypass to the present sliding zone on NH 10 from Melli to Singtam.
7. Mizoram-
Mizoram was granted Rs 6,664 crore for the two-laning of the 28-kilometer Zorinpui-Longmasu stretch of the Indo-Myanmar Border Road at a cost of Rs 764 crore.
8. Tripura-
Tripura will undertake multiple road projects with the clearance of Rs 12,426 crore. The 135-kilometer Khowai-Teliamura-Amarpur-Harina Road (NH 208) would be two-laned at a cost of Rs 2,421 crore.
This route will connect tourists to the Tirthamukh and Unakoti sites. It will also connect Bangladesh via Feni Bridge to Kailashahar, Kamalpur, and Khowai Border Checkpoints.
