NE as unified region: Tripura CM pitches big plan at high-level connectivity meet

Tripura chief minister Prof Dr. Manik Saha on Monday presented a sweeping plan to transform infrastructure and connectivity across the Northeast as he chaired the third meeting of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on Infrastructure, Logistics Cost and Connectivity in the North Eastern Region (NER).
The meeting – attended by Union Minister for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma, along with senior officials from Central Ministries and northeastern states – focused on long-term strategies to remove logistics bottlenecks and enhance regional economic integration.
Dr Saha proposed a phase-wise roadmap aimed at strengthening multimodal transport links, developing cross-border trade corridors, and boosting digital and power connectivity across the Northeast.
Emphasising that the region must be treated as a unified economic and infrastructure zone, he called for deeper coordination among key Central Ministries, including Highways, Railways, Civil Aviation, Shipping and Waterways, Power, IT, Telecom and Petroleum.
He also underlined the urgent need to streamline forest and environmental clearances that often slow down execution of major projects.
Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma highlighted the strategic role of Mizoram as a gateway to neighbouring countries under India’s Act East Policy. Stressing the need to accelerate high-impact initiatives such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, he noted that border trade, logistics support and institutional reforms were central to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Union Minister Scindia praised the roadmap put forward by the Tripura chief minister, describing it as a “comprehensive strategy” for regional transformation.
He said successful implementation would require “active collaboration between Central Ministries and State Governments” and recommended that inputs from key line ministries including Railways, Power, Highways and the NITI Aayog be incorporated before finalising the HLTF report.
The meeting is part of a broader initiative set in motion after the 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala in December 2024, where the Centre commissioned eight High-Level Task Forces led by the chief ministers of Northeast states to address critical development priorities.