Northeast’s Transformation One of India’s Biggest Success Stories Under PM Modi: Sarbananda Sonowal

Union

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, on Monday said that the transformation of Northeast India from a historically underdeveloped frontier region into a vibrant economic growth hub stands as one of the most significant development success stories of the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sonowal highlights Northeast Emergence

Addressing the North-East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Shillong, Sonowal highlighted the region’s emergence as a strategic growth engine, driven by unprecedented investments in connectivity, digital infrastructure, logistics, energy and industry.“From a frontier region to an economic growth hub, the Northeast’s transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of India’s biggest success stories. The region has moved from the margins to the centre of India’s development agenda,” Sonowal said.He noted that the Northeast is now increasingly being recognised as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and a key pillar of the country’s Act East Policy. The Union Minister emphasised that public investment in the region has surged significantly, with Gross Budgetary Support rising from around Rs 20,000 crore in 2014 to over Rs 1.08 lakh crore in 2025–26. Cumulative expenditure in the region has crossed Rs 7.3 lakh crore over the past decade.“These investments are not merely building infrastructure they are creating opportunities by connecting farmers to markets, entrepreneurs to capital, and the region to global value chains,” he added.

Nearly 10,000 kms of Highways Built So Far, Says Sonowal

Highlighting infrastructure growth, Sonowal said nearly 10,000 km of national highways have been constructed since 2014, alongside over 46,000 km of rural roads. Railway investments have increased nearly fivefold, with projects worth Rs 77,000 crore currently underway. Landmark developments such as the Bogibeel Bridge and new rail connectivity to Mizoram have strengthened regional integration.Air connectivity has also seen major expansion, with operational airports increasing from nine in 2014 to sixteen. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have been connected to commercial air services for the first time since Independence.Calling digital connectivity a defining achievement, Sonowal said nearly 96 per cent of villages in the Northeast are now covered by mobile networks, with over 40,000 villages having access to 4G services.

Progress in Meghalaya

Focusing on Meghalaya, the Union Minister said the state has successfully leveraged its natural strengths and governance reforms to emerge as a key investment destination. He highlighted its progress in ease of doing business, tourism growth, and digital infrastructure, noting that Meghalaya secured the third rank nationally in Compliance Reduction and Deregulation reforms.“Meghalaya exemplifies how policy reforms, connectivity and leadership can unlock economic opportunities while preserving cultural and environmental heritage,” Sonowal said, also praising the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.The Minister further pointed to the Northeast’s growing role in advanced manufacturing, citing the Rs 27,000-crore Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Facility in Assam as a milestone in the region’s industrial evolution.

Importance on Waterways

On waterways, Sonowal stressed the importance of the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems in developing a multimodal logistics network. He said projects worth over Rs 750 crore have already been completed, with more than Rs 1,170 crore worth of projects under implementation. These initiatives are enhancing connectivity with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Southeast Asia through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.“The Northeast is no longer landlocked. It is becoming a logistics, trade and connectivity corridor linking South Asia with Southeast Asia,” he asserted.Sonowal also highlighted rising exports of regional products such as Tripura’s Queen pineapple and Assam’s lychees as indicators of improved market access.Looking ahead, he said the region’s renewable energy potential of nearly 129 GW, along with its tourism and strategic location, offers immense opportunities for sustained growth.“The Northeast is not India’s last frontier—it is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The Ashtalakshmi story is no longer an aspiration; it is unfolding before our eyes,” Sonowal said.The Union Minister also chaired a CEO roundtable during the summit, interacting with leading industry stakeholders from sectors including cement, steel, renewable energy, logistics and hospitality.