PM Modi highlights infrastructure revolution in Northeast, positions region as gateway to ASEAN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the inaugural session of the Rising North East Summit on Friday, underscored the transformative role of infrastructure in boosting tourism, trade, and investment in the North Eastern region. 

He said the government has launched an “Infrastructure Revolution” in the North East, aimed at addressing historical challenges and transforming the region into a “Land of Opportunities.” “Well-developed roads, reliable power infrastructure, and efficient logistics networks are essential to the growth of any industry,” PM Modi said, adding that thousands of crores have been invested to enhance connectivity across the region.

Among key projects mentioned were the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam, which are improving both mobility and economic integration. He also cited major achievements of the past decade, including the construction of 11,000 kilometers of highways, new railway lines, the doubling of airports, development of waterways on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, and the installation of hundreds of mobile towers to strengthen digital connectivity.

The Prime Minister highlighted the commissioning of the 1,600-kilometer-long Northeast Gas Grid, which will ensure a steady energy supply to support local industries.

“The synergy between highways, railways, waterways, and digital infrastructure is creating a fertile ground for industries to take the First Mover Advantage,” he said.

Touching upon India’s growing trade relations with ASEAN nations, the Prime Minister said that the country’s trade volume with the bloc currently stands at $125 billion, with projections to cross $200 billion in the near future. He positioned the North East as a strategic trade bridge and gateway to the ASEAN region.

He emphasized the strategic importance of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which aims to connect India directly with Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. He also mentioned the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, which will link Kolkata Port with Myanmar’s Sittwe Port, further connecting to Mizoram, thereby significantly reducing the travel time and boosting trade between West Bengal and the North Eastern states.

Further developments include the transformation of Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala into Multi-Modal Logistics Hubs, alongside the establishment of Land Custom Stations in Meghalaya and Mizoram, designed to expand cross-border trade.

“These advancements are not only accelerating the growth of the North East but also positioning it as a rising force in India’s trade with the Indo-Pacific region,” PM Modi said.