Rao Inderjit Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), chaired a high-level review meeting of Central Sector infrastructure projects under implementation in the North Eastern States at Guwahati. The meeting was organised in association with Transformation & Development Department, Government of Assam in the presence of Dr. J.B. Ekka, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam and Shri Dilip Kumar Borah, Senior Most Secretary to the Government of Assam, Transformation and Development Department. The meeting was conducted in the presence of 100 plus officers/officials from 11 Central Ministries & their project implementing agencies and 8 State Governments of the North Eastern Region.

During the review meeting, it was discussed that Infrastructure is the backbone of a developed nation and a central pillar of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Guided by his emphasis on integrated, future-ready, and inclusive infrastructure, world-class physical and digital networks are being created to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and ease of living. By strengthening connectivity, logistics efficiency, and access to essential services, infrastructure is driving balanced regional development and unlocking the growth potential of every region. This sustained infrastructure push will be instrumental in transforming India into a globally competitive and self-reliant economy by 2047.

Joint Secretary, MoSPI, Shri Supreet Singh Gulati, in his welcome note, setting the agenda for the meet, mentioned that a total of 221 central sector infrastructure projects, spanning 11 Central Ministries/Departments with an original cost of Rs. 2.33 lakh crore were currently under implementation in the North Eastern Region.

In his opening remarks, Secretary, MoSPI, Dr. Saurabh Garg, reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional mechanisms for infrastructure monitoring and highlighted the role of MoSPI’s Infrastructure and Project Monitoring Division (IPMD) and the PAIMANA – Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-Building portal in enabling data-driven monitoring of Central Sector infrastructure projects costing ₹150 crore and above. He also mentioned about the capacity building programmes conducted by MoSPI on Project Planning and Management and encouraged State Governments to nominate officers associated with infrastructure development to participate in these programmes.

During the meeting, reviews were undertaken for projects of the 11 Ministries/Departments. During the review of MoRTH projects in the North Eastern States, 177 projects covering 3,634 km were examined/reviewed. For the Ministry of Railways, nine ongoing projects were reviewed. NorthEast Frontier Railway (NFR) is implementing rail connectivity projects in the North Eastern Region, where difficult terrain, monsoon-dominated climate, limited working seasons, landslides, and remoteness pose major execution challenges. Despite these constraints, NFR has expedited works, including the inauguration of the Bhairabi–Sairang new line in Mizoram on 13.09.2025 and completion of 1,072 route km of electrification. NFR requested State support for addressing issues related to encroachments, land acquisition, law and order, and forest clearances to accelerate project execution.

For the Ministry of Power, nine projects were reviewed. While discussing the CSST and Distribution System projects of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, issues included non-availability of contractors, local hindrances, and issues in assessment and disbursement of compensation in Reserve Forest areas were highlighted. For the Tato-I Hydroelectric Project (186 MW) of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) issues including transmission line completion and road connectivity constraints due to ongoing road upgradation works were discussed.

For the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, 21 ongoing projects were reviewed. The Ministry highlighted that certain projects in the North Eastern Region have faced implementation challenges due to external supply disruptions and land-related issues, particularly for projects initiated during the COVID-19 period. Issues regarding the North East Gas Grid Project included pending land acquisition approvals and administrative clearance for 33 km of pipeline were discussed. The recently inaugurated 2G Ethanol (Bio Refinery) at Numaligarh, Assam, the world’s first 2G Bio-ethanol Plant using bamboo, was also highlighted. It was emphasized that this project was a step towards energy “atmanirbharta” and also aligned with the “annadata se urjadata” vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

For the Ministry of Civil Aviation, three projects costing ₹ 2,534.26 crore were reviewed. Issues discussed for the “Redevelopment of Imphal Airport” included highway closures and monsoon impacts, while issues for the “Runway Widening at Pakyong Airport” related to land availability and construction of an alternate access route. The Ministry requested continued State support for dumping excavated material.

For the Department of Telecommunications, two Projects costing ₹ 2227.45 crore were reviewed. It was emphasized that while optical ground wire (OPGW) along power transmission lines is already enabling bandwidth provision, coordinated development of power distribution and associated last-mile infrastructure is essential to effectively strengthen telecommunications.

For the Department of Higher Education, seven projects amounting to ₹ 2,915.52 crore are under implementation in the North Eastern Region. The Department submitted that the objective of establishing one National Institute of Technology (NIT) in each State is to serve as a regional hub for technological education and innovation.

Also, the projects of the Department of Sports, Ministry of Coal, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment were reviewed, and critical issues were discussed. Ministries/Departments/Implementing agencies acknowledged and appreciated the support provided by the State Governments in facilitating project execution.

Concluding the review meeting, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Rao Inderjit Singh emphasized the importance of timely completion of infrastructure projects in the North Eastern Region for strengthening connectivity, promoting inclusive growth, and supporting socio-economic development. He urged all stakeholders to adopt a proactive and solution-oriented approach to resolve bottlenecks and ensure faster project execution. He expressed confidence that, through sustained collective effort, the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a prosperous, connected, and empowered North Eastern Region will be realized, thereby making a meaningful contribution to the realisation of the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the North Eastern States through effective coordination, continuous monitoring, and timely resolution of issues.

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