Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today participated in the High-Level Task Force Meeting on Logistics, Infrastructure and Connectivity convened by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, in New Delhi.

                   

The meeting saw participation from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, Secretary MDoNER,  Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh and other senior officers of MDoNER and NE States.

Deliberations focused on accelerating multimodal connectivity across the North East spanning roads, railways, waterways, energy and digital networks. The Task Force underscored the need to strengthen trade corridors, enhance border infrastructure, improve last-mile linkages and build an integrated macro-grid for the region. Discussions also covered sectoral power transmission corridors, ensuring inter-state infrastructure compatibility and unlocking the Northeast’s strategic gateway to South East Asia.

                 

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura delivered a comprehensive presentation covering the five-point agenda and three State-led initiatives identified by the Hon’ble Union Minister, DoNER during the 1st HLTF meeting held on 6 August 2025. He highlighted key connectivity challenges faced by the North-Eastern States, including gaps in road and air connectivity, limitations in waterways and border trade infrastructure, shortcomings in digital connectivity, and various geographical and structural constraints.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri LalDuhoma, proposed a 4-point agenda for strengthening critical infrastructure in the NER:

1. 1. 1. Formulation of a comprehensive Master Plan for Development of the NER Infrastructure Grid by integrating power, transport and digital corridors under a unified framework.
      2. Formulation of a comprehensive plan for establishing Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) by identifying strategic regional locations and integrating multimodal transport and digital networks to reduce transit and operational costs.
      3. Enhancing all modes of transport—Roads, Railways, Airways, Waterways—along with Power and Digital infrastructure to ensure last-mile connectivity.
      4. Reduction of logistics costs through optimized use of MMLPs, improved cold chain and logistics connectivity, all-weather transport infrastructure, etc.

            

The Union Minister of MDoNER outlined three key initiatives that needs to be taken up by the HLTF:

1. Development of a regional master plan for the NER as a unified macro grid. Barriers and implementation challenges should be identified and resolved in coordination with the relevant Central Ministries and Departments.
2. Formulation of a State-wise matrix of infrastructure development projects to be funded by the Central Government, listing two priority projects per sector (e.g., roads, railways, airways, power, inland waterways) for each state.
3. Formulation of a State-wise matrix of infrastructure projects suitable for Public-Private Partnership (PPP), identifying one priority project per sector (e.g., logistics, warehousing, cold chain, etc.) for each state.

Earlier this year, the Centre formed Eight High-Level Task Force, each headed by one of the Chief Ministers, with Union Minister (MDoNER) and three Chief Ministers of other States as members. The initiative stems from a consensus reached during the 72^nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), held on December 21, 2024, in Agartala. Centre and state officials jointly reaffirmed their commitment to speeding up connectivity-led growth and establishing a future-ready logistics network to boost investment, jobs and regional prosperity.

In the High-Level Task Force meeting on Logistics, Infrastructure and Connectivity convened by Hon’ble CM of Tripura @DrManikSaha2, we reviewed ways to fast-track multimodal connectivity across the North East spanning roads, rail, air, waterways, energy and digital networks.… pic.twitter.com/MXLjlwi6kk

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 3, 2025

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Prashant Sharma

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