Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Highlights Northeast’s Transformation at Joint Media Briefing

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today led a Joint Media Briefing on the One-Year Achievements (August 2024 – September 2025) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the Department of Posts (DoP), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The event featured Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications; Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and DoNER; and Sh. Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of MDoNER. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the North Eastern Region has undergone a profound transformation. Shri Scindia expressed immense pride in these advancements, emphasizing the Ministry’s focus on three core pillars: Reform, Reach, and Results. This approach has driven unprecedented growth in infrastructure, investment, governance, and youth empowerment. “The Northeast embodies the essence of a new India—empowered, connected, and poised for the future. Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision, it has evolved from a peripheral region into a frontrunner, radiating confidence and competitiveness,” he remarked.

Historic Growth and Economic Potential

Shri Scindia highlighted the Northeast’s exceptional growth trajectory, with its decadal GDP growth surpassing the national average. He pointed to the region’s high literacy rates and significant demographic dividend, where 70% of the population is under 28 years old. “These factors truly position the Northeast as India’s growth engine,” he stated. The Ministry achieved a record expenditure of ₹3,447.71 crore in FY 2024–25, a 74.4% increase from the previous year and over 200% growth in three years. This success stems from enhanced fiscal discipline, digital monitoring, and efficient delivery systems. Weekly reviews, four-installment fund releases, and the Poorvottar Vikas Setu portal have ensured transparency, achieving 97% project inspection coverage and 91% operationalization of completed projects.

Reforms, Governance, and Institutional Strengthening

A key governance reform includes the establishment of Chief Minister-led Sectoral High-Level Task Forces across eight sectors: tourism, investment, handicrafts, agriculture, infrastructure, sports, the North East Economic Corridor, and protein self-reliance. These task forces promote inter-state collaboration, policy alignment, and integrated regional development. Via an Inter-Ministerial Facilitation Mechanism, MDoNER has expedited approvals for critical infrastructure projects, such as the Shillong Airport Expansion, an alternative alignment for NH-10 in Sikkim, and Kailashahar Airport Development in Tripura, bolstering the region’s connectivity framework.

Investment and Economic Integration

Shri Scindia emphasized the robust investment surge. The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, held in May 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, drew eight Chief Ministers, eight Union Ministers, over 100 Ambassadors, and 108 PSUs, securing ₹4.48 lakh crore in investment commitments—a landmark for the region. The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav (December 6-8, 2024), inaugurated by the Prime Minister, celebrated the cultural richness of the eight Northeastern states and generated ₹2,326 crore in investment leads. The North East Banker’s Conclave in Agartala (December 2024) resulted in 51 new bank branches, expanded ATM networks, and improved MSME credit access. Through NEDFi, over 5,300 MSMEs received support, with ₹766 crore mobilized for startups and enterprises, advancing financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Tourism, Connectivity, and Global Positioning

MDoNER is elevating the Northeast as a premier global tourism and cultural hub through a unified Brand Northeast strategy. Each state promotes unique offerings, like Assam’s Muga Silk, Meghalaya’s Lakadong Turmeric, Manipur’s Polo, Sikkim’s Organic Farming, and Tripura’s Queen Pineapple. Eight iconic destinations—Kaziranga, Ziro, Sohra, Thenzawl, Matabari, Kisama, Namchi, and Moirang—are being transformed into world-class attractions via public-private partnerships. Homestay and eco-tourism initiatives have boosted rural incomes by 45%, promoting sustainable livelihoods. Shri Scindia stressed connectivity’s role in unlocking tourism potential. Over the past 11 years, airports have grown from 9 to 17, including 4 in Arunachal Pradesh. All Northeastern states will achieve rail connectivity by 2029. Projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are linking the region globally, shifting its status from “last frontier” to “India’s gateway.”

Agriculture, Industry, and Entrepreneurship

The government is diversifying the Northeast’s economy through industry-driven agri-horti value chains. The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm covers over 68,000 hectares, with 47 nurseries and five seed gardens. The Agarwood sector has a six-fold export quota increase, an export facilitation portal with DGFT, and ongoing GI registration. The bamboo industry, with 22 projects worth ₹126.7 crore, has trained 2,587 artisans and integrated with Amazon for global market access. These efforts are generating employment, boosting exports, and fostering rural entrepreneurship.