Centre Reviews Rs 2.33 Lakh Cr Infrastructure Projects in Northeast; MoSPI Highlights Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision

Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), chaired a high-level review meeting in Guwahati to assess Central Sector infrastructure projects under implementation across the North Eastern States.

During the meeting, the Minister reiterated that modern infrastructure is central to the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, driving productivity, connectivity, balanced regional development and ease of living through integrated physical and digital networks. The discussion underlined that sustained infrastructure investment will be key to making India globally competitive and self-reliant by 2047.

Joint Secretary Supreet Singh Gulati noted that 221 Central Sector infrastructure projects worth Rs 2.33 lakh crore across 11 Ministries and Departments are presently being executed in the North Eastern Region. MoSPI Secretary Dr Saurabh Garg highlighted the role of institutional monitoring via MoSPI’s Infrastructure and Project Monitoring Division (IPMD) and the PAIMANA portal, which enables data-driven tracking of Central Sector projects costing Rs 150 crore and above. He also encouraged State Governments to nominate officials for MoSPI’s capacity building programmes on project planning and management.

Project reviews were conducted for all 11 Ministries. For the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 177 projects covering 3,634 km were examined. For the Ministry of Railways, nine ongoing projects were reviewed, with the North East Frontier Railway highlighting major execution challenges including difficult terrain, monsoon-heavy climate, landslides, limited working seasons and remoteness. Despite this, works have accelerated, including the inauguration of the Bhairabi–Sairang line in Mizoram on 13 September 2025 and the completion of 1,072 route km of electrification. NFR requested State support on encroachment removal, land acquisition, law and order and forest clearances.

For the Ministry of Power, nine projects were reviewed. Power Grid’s CSST and distribution system projects in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim face issues such as contractor shortages, local hindrances and compensation delays in Reserve Forest areas. For NEEPCO’s 186 MW Tato-I Hydroelectric Project, challenges include completion of evacuation lines and road access constraints due to parallel highway works.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reviewed 21 projects and flagged external supply disruptions and land-related challenges, particularly for projects initiated during the Covid period. The North East Gas Grid requires pending land acquisition approvals and administrative clearances for 33 km of pipeline. Officials also highlighted the successful commissioning of the bamboo-based 2G Ethanol Bio-Refinery at Numaligarh, Assam, described as the world’s first such facility and aligned with national energy atmanirbharta and the “annadata se urjadata” vision.

For the Ministry of Civil Aviation, three projects costing Rs 2,534.26 crore were reviewed. Issues concerning redevelopment of Imphal Airport included highway closures and monsoon impacts, while runway widening at Pakyong Airport requires State support for land availability and disposal of excavated material.