“Northeast: India’s Driving Force for Viksit Bharat, Says Jyotiraditya Scindia” – www.lokmattimes.com

New Delhi, July 2 — India’s northeastern states and Union Territories have become essential to the country’s growth. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized this vision, comparing the region to the engine of a train on the journey toward a developed India by 2047.

In a recent chat with IANS, Scindia highlighted a stark contrast between the past and present. For decades, the northeast struggled to progress. However, in just 11 years, significant change is evident. Improvements in roads, railways, air travel, healthcare, and social services have been remarkable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a frequent visitor to the northeast, making around 70 trips over the past years. This is more than all previous Prime Ministers combined in the last 65 years. Scindia describes the region as a beautiful blend of diversity and natural resources, ready to shine on the national stage.

The recent ‘Rising North East Investors Summit 2025’ drew investments of about ₹5 lakh crore. This influx reinforces the northeast’s role as a key player in India’s overall development.

Infrastructure improvements are noteworthy. In 2014, there were just nine airports; now, there are 17. States like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, which lacked airports for decades, have made significant strides. Arunachal Pradesh now boasts four airports, while Sikkim has one.

Road expansions are also impressive. National highways increased from 10,000 km in 2014 to 16,000 km today. This rapid growth represents nearly equivalent development in just a decade compared to 65 years prior. Additionally, 40,000 km of rural roads have been constructed, with nearly 2,000 km of railway lines under execution.

Scindia assured that all eight northeastern states will have rail services by 2027. The government is investing ₹80,000 crore to realize this goal.

Experts agree that the northeastern region is crucial to India’s ambition of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. With its wealth of resources and growing infrastructure, it is poised to be a hub for both local and global partnerships.

In summary, the improvements in the northeastern region underscore a transformational journey. The collective efforts of state leaders and the central government signal a hopeful future for the area.

For more detailed insights on the economic developments in the northeast, you can refer to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

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