In the northeast region of India, which houses eight states, connectivity growth over the past decade has been incredible. DoNER, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, emphasizes that growth in infrastructure is an extremely important development which has radically transformed the regional economy and interaction with the rest of the country.
A Decade of Change in Connectivity
There has been a sea change in connectivity over the last ten years, feels Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of DoNER Ministry. There have been better improvements in the key sectors of roads, rail, airports, waterways, and digital infrastructure that have given better access to even the most remote areas.
The DoNER Secretary had addressed the Northeast Trade and Investment Roadshow in Mumbai that the investment policies of this region are now more integrated with the central government in such a way that an investor finds attractive opportunities offered by the region. Now, the enhanced infrastructure, on the other hand, has been responsible for steadily growing the economy of the region, with a significant GDP contributing 2.9% of the national economy. Moreover, the CAGR of the northeastern region has always been higher than the national average.
Different Investment Options in the Northeast
Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary of DoNER, said that the development initiatives which have been going on for a decade have benefited the local communities. She said that the region is rich in minerals, biodiversity, and hydropower and its booming tourism sector has made it a big attraction for investors.
With 17 operational airports in the region, the ever-expanding road and rail networks, and 20 functional waterways, the northeast is undergoing a transformational journey. According to Dash, these improvements, supported by initiatives such as the UNNATI Scheme, PM DevINE, and Ayushman Bharat, are contributing to the region’s sustainable development and economic expansion.
The Northeast: A Land of Investment and Growth
The region has emerged as one of the lands of immense potential investment over the years, and the infrastructural improvements that currently are ongoing, along with the rich resources and variety of industries in the region, are making it an excellent destination for businesses. Thus, the high literacy, vibrant culture, and great sports sector add to making the northeastern states a top area for investment in such sectors.
This potentiality is one of the major attractions of the region due to its hydropower resources, which have the estimated potential to generate about 56,000 MW. Such a high potential opens the doors for enormous scopes in the renewable energy business. Besides, this unexplored area contains such resources as minerals and natural gas, thus making scopes in mining, energy, and infrastructural projects.
Major Infrastructural Development in Past Ten Years
Changes in various fields:
Air Connectivity: The number of operational airports has increased from 9 to 17, which makes it relatively easier to travel in and out of the region by air.
Railway Investment: The northeast railway network has been largely upgraded through an investment of ₹90,000 crore, thereby improving the logistics and transportation options in the region.
Road Networks: The expansion of the road network has opened up the region to the rest of the country and enhanced trade and tourism activities.
Waterways: 20 waterways have been developed that have increased the northeast’s capacity for water transport, which helps trade and movement of goods.
A Bright Future for the Northeastern States
Northeastern states now position themselves as part of India’s key economic future: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. With better infrastructure continuing to improve and policies slowly being more investor-friendly, this region will soon look forward to becoming a business or growth hub.
In the sixth Mumbai roadshow, senior officials like DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also emphasized that southeast Asia trade has tremendous potential while northeast still has undiscovered resources. According to the DoNER Minister, growth prospects of the region are driven both by the region’s natural resources and ongoing investments in infrastructure by the government.
Conclusion: A Region on the Road to Prosperity
This change by the northeast region of India in terms of developments over the last ten years only speaks well of infrastructure building and appropriate policy orientation. High connectivity coupled with large volumes of potential resources places it in the best possible condition to eventually become an investment capital. Along with rising confidence by investments, more northeastern states are embarking on economic prosperity journeys. They will soon form integral parts of India’s larger growth trajectory. Indeed, the time to invest in the northeast has never been better.
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