Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has attributed the revitalisation of Northeast India to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on good governance and developmental politics. Speaking at a press conference, Sonowal highlighted the transformation the region has undergone over the past decade under the Modi administration, calling it a period of renewed energy and hope.
Sonowal stated, “Our beautiful Northeast, blessed with natural resources, was neglected for too long by successive governments. However, the last decade under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has sparked a significant transformation. The people of the region no longer feel sidelined and are confidently contributing to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
He praised Modi’s strategy of combining good governance with developmental politics, which he said had delivered welfare services to the remotest corners of the region and significantly improved the quality of life. According to Sonowal, “This decade of transformation has empowered the people of the Northeast to aspire, achieve, and commit to nation-building.”
Sonowal detailed several achievements under the Modi government. The budget outlay for the Northeast has grown by more than 300%, rising from ₹36,108 crore in 2014 to ₹94,680 crore in 2023-24. Infrastructure development has seen notable progress, with the number of national highways increasing from 80 in 2014 to 103 in 2023, alongside a 28% expansion in total highway length. Infrastructure scheme outlays rose dramatically from ₹94 crore to ₹2,491 crore.
Railway expansion has also been significant, with over 193 km of rail lines commissioned annually and the railway budget for the region increasing by 370%. The region has achieved 100% electrification of broad-gauge lines. Air connectivity has seen a boost, with the number of operational airports rising from 9 to 17, leading to a 113% increase in weekly flights. Welfare services have expanded, with over 7,000 villages gaining access to piped drinking water, a 39% increase in universities, and 1.55 lakh hectares of land utilised for organic farming. Digital connectivity has improved with 4G services reaching almost all parts of the Northeast.
Sonowal emphasised the government’s efforts to revitalise inland waterways as an economical and eco-friendly mode of transport. The Brahmaputra River, designated as National Waterway 2, has become a key trade route under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. This development has opened avenues for international trade, benefiting neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Key initiatives include the development of a fairway along 891 km of the Brahmaputra with dredging by the Dredging Corporation of India. A ship repair facility is under construction at Pandu Port with an investment of ₹208 crore, while permanent terminals are being established at Pandu, Dhubri, Bogibeel, and Jogighopa. Floating jetties are also being constructed at 11 locations, and riverine tourism is set to expand with tourist jetties at Biswanath, Neamati, Guijan, and Silghat.
Sonowal criticised earlier administrations for neglecting the Northeast, stating, “Previous governments must apologise to the people of the Northeast. Even though former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh represented the region as an MP, no substantial development occurred under his tenure.”
He added that the region’s history of insurgency and violence had been replaced by peace and development under the Modi government, creating an environment conducive to investment. “Today, athletes from the Northeast compete on global stages and bring laurels to the country. This is the result of a transformational decade of good governance and progress,” he said.
Also read | TIPRA played palace card for survival, says Tripura Leader of Opposition