New Delhi: The Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, chaired 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 was attended by Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and DoNER, and Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, MDoNER.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North Eastern Region has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past year. Addressing the media, Scindia expressed pride in this progress, noting that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, the Ministry has advanced on the three pillars of Reform, Reach, and Results, achieving record growth in infrastructure, investment, governance, and youth engagement. “The Northeast today represents the spirit of a new India—empowered, connected, and future-ready. Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision, the region has transformed from a frontier into a front-runner, symbolising confidence and competitiveness,” he stated.
Historic growth and economic potential
Scindia elaborated on the high growth potential of the North Eastern Region, noting that the decadal GDP growth of the region has been higher than the national average. He highlighted the region’s high literacy rate and strong demographic advantage, with 70% of the population below the age of 28 years, adding, “All these combine to make the region the growth engine of India in the true sense.”
The Minister said that the Ministry achieved its highest-ever expenditure of ₹3,447.71 crore in FY 2024–25, marking a 74.4% increase over the previous year and more than 200% growth in three years. This performance, he noted, reflects MDoNER’s emphasis on fiscal discipline, digital monitoring, and timely delivery. Weekly review mechanisms, four-installment fund releases, and digital tracking through the Poorvottar Vikas Setu portal have brought transparency and efficiency, resulting in 97% project inspection coverage and 91% operationalisation of completed projects.
Reforms, governance, and institutional strengthening
In a major governance reform, the Ministry has institutionalised Chief Minister-led Sectoral High-Level Task Forces across eight sectors such as tourism, investment, handicrafts, agriculture, infrastructure, sports, the North East Economic Corridor, and protein self-reliance. These task forces are fostering inter-state collaboration, enabling policy alignment, and ensuring that development efforts are regionally integrated rather than state-bound.
Through an Inter-Ministerial Facilitation Mechanism, MDoNER has accelerated approvals for major infrastructure projects including the Shillong Airport expansion, alternative alignment to NH-10 in Sikkim, and Kailashahar Airport development in Tripura, thereby strengthening the connectivity backbone of the region.
Investment and economic integration
Scindia highlighted the strong investment momentum during the year. The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in May 2025, saw participation from eight Chief Ministers, eight Union Ministers, over 100 Ambassadors, and 108 PSUs, resulting in ₹4.48 lakh crore worth of investment commitments—a historic milestone for the region.
The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, held from 6–8 December 2024 and inaugurated by the Prime Minister, celebrated the cultural heritage of the eight North Eastern states and secured ₹2,326 crore in investment leads. The North East Banker’s Conclave in Agartala, held in December 2024, led to commitments for 51 new bank branches, expanded ATM networks, and enhanced MSME credit access.
Through NEDFi, more than 5,300 MSMEs were supported, and ₹766 crore was mobilised for start-ups and enterprises, furthering financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
Tourism, connectivity, and global positioning
Scindia emphasised MDoNER’s efforts to position the Northeast as a global tourism and cultural destination through a unified ‘Brand Northeast’ strategy. Each state has identified unique products and experiences—such as Muga Silk of Assam, Lakadong Turmeric of Meghalaya, Polo from Manipur, Organic Farming from Sikkim, and Queen Pineapple of Tripura—to promote its identity.
Eight iconic tourism destinations, including Kaziranga, Ziro, Sohra, Thenzawl, Matabari, Kisama, Namchi, and Moirang, are being developed as world-class attractions under public-private partnerships. Homestay and eco-tourism models have expanded across states, contributing to a 45% rise in rural incomes and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
On connectivity, Scindia said, “As compared to just 9 airports in 8 NE States, with no airports in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, the number has now increased to 17, with 4 airports in Arunachal Pradesh alone. As regards rail connectivity, all the NE States will be connected by the year 2029. We are also progressing with the Kaladan and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway projects to connect the NE region with the rest of the world. The region is emerging as the gateway of India rather than being the last frontier.”
Agriculture, industry, and entrepreneurship
Scindia also highlighted the government’s efforts to diversify the Northeast’s economy through industry-led agri-horticultural value chain development. The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm has brought over 68,000 hectares under cultivation with 47 nurseries and five seed gardens established.
The Agarwood sector has seen a six-fold increase in export quota and operationalisation of an export facilitation portal in collaboration with DGFT, with GI registration currently underway. The bamboo sector, with 22 projects worth ₹126.7 crore, has trained 2,587 artisans and launched Amazon-linked market access models, integrating traditional crafts with global markets. These interventions are creating jobs, strengthening exports, and enhancing rural entrepreneurship.
BI Bureau
