The Northeast region of India is charting a new course as the nation's "growth engine," driven by record government spending and major infrastructure projects, the Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, said on Friday.
Addressing a media briefing on the ministry's one-year achievements, Scindia stated that the region has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of PM Modi. "The Northeast today represents the spirit of a new India, empowered, connected, and future-ready," Scindia said.
Scindia elaborated on the region's economic potential, noting its decadal GDP growth has been higher than the national average. He highlighted the demographic advantage, with 70 per cent of the population below the age of 28 years. "All these combine to make the region the growth engine of India in the true sense," he added.
The minister reported that MDoNER achieved its highest-ever expenditure of Rs 3,447.71 crore in the 2024-25 financial year, a 74.4 per cent increase over the previous year. He credited this performance to fiscal discipline and digital monitoring systems.
On investments, Scindia underscored a historic milestone, noting that the Rising North East Investors Summit in May 2025 resulted in investment commitments worth Rs 4.48 lakh crore. A separate event, the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in December 2024, secured investment leads of Rs 2,326 crore.
Connectivity, a key focus area, has seen significant progress. Scindia mentioned that the number of airports in the region has increased from nine to 17 over the past 11 years. "As regards rail connectivity, all the NE States will be connected by the year 2029," he stated. The ministry is also advancing the Kaladan and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway projects to better link the region with global markets.
The government is also promoting the Northeast as a unified tourism brand, developing eight iconic destinations and supporting homestays and eco-tourism models, which have contributed to a 45 per cent rise in rural incomes in some areas, according to the ministry.
Efforts to diversify the economy include developing agri-horti value chains. The National Mission on Edible Oils has brought over 68,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation. The Agarwood sector has seen a six-fold increase in export quota, and the bamboo sector has integrated traditional crafts with global markets through online platforms. |
