What Happened
- The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has sanctioned 82 infrastructure projects costing Rs 4,703.81 crore under the restructured North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
- These projects were sanctioned during the last two financial years (FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and the current FY 2025-26, as of January 31, 2026).
- NESIDS operates through two components: NESIDS (Roads) for road and bridge infrastructure, and NESIDS (Other Than Roads Infrastructure or OTRI) for health, education, water supply, industrial development, sports, and telecom.
- Projects are monitored through State Level Empowered Committees (SLECs) that recommend projects, and periodic inspections by MDoNER, the North Eastern Council, and Field Technical Support Units.
- Project Quality Monitors and Third Party Technical Inspection Agencies have been introduced to strengthen the monitoring mechanism and ensure quality of execution.
Static Topic Bridges
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
- Coverage: All eight NE states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
- NESIDS (Roads): Focuses on road and bridge construction and auxiliary infrastructure. Projects are recommended by State Level Empowered Committees (SLECs).
- NESIDS (OTRI): Covers primary and secondary healthcare infrastructure, primary and secondary education, water supply, industrial development, sports facilities, and telecom connectivity.
- Funding: 100% central funding -- no state matching contribution required, recognizing the limited fiscal capacity of NE states.
- Objective: To supplement existing central ministry efforts and address "felt needs" of NE states for uncovered development activities, providing gap-filling infrastructure support.
- The scheme was continued during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-26) with enhanced outlay.
Connection to this news: The Rs 4,703.81 crore sanction for 82 projects represents a significant push under NESIDS, covering both physical connectivity (roads and bridges) and social infrastructure (health, education, water supply). The fully central-funded nature of the scheme is critical for NE states that have limited revenue bases and high costs of construction due to difficult terrain.
Act East Policy and North East Development
- The Look East Policy was launched in 1991 by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to cultivate economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian nations. It was upgraded to the Act East Policy in 2014, shifting from engagement to action.
- The NE region shares international borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, and Bhutan, spanning approximately 5,484 km of international boundary.
- Key connectivity projects include: Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (India-Myanmar), India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Trans-Asian Railway, and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link (India-Bangladesh, inaugurated 2023).
- The India-Japan Act East Forum focuses specifically on NE infrastructure, including the Imphal-Moreh road and projects in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
- Despite policy focus, the NE region's per capita income remains below the national average for most states (except Sikkim and Mizoram), and road density is significantly lower than the national average.
Connection to this news: NESIDS fills the domestic infrastructure gap that must be bridged before the NE can function as India's gateway to ASEAN. Road connectivity, healthcare facilities, and educational infrastructure within the eight NE states are preconditions for the region to benefit from cross-border trade corridors and connectivity projects under the Act East Policy.
Special Provisions for North Eastern States
- Sixth Schedule: Applies to autonomous districts and regions in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, creating Autonomous District Councils with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers.
- Article 371A (Nagaland): Requires Assembly resolution before Acts of Parliament on Naga customary law, ownership of resources, or religious/social practices apply to the state.
- Article 371G (Mizoram): Similar protections for Mizo customary law and practice.
- Article 275(1): Provides grants from the Consolidated Fund of India for promoting welfare of Scheduled Tribes and raising the level of administration of Scheduled Areas.
- North Eastern Council (NEC): Statutory body established under the NEC Act, 1971 (amended 2002), acts as a regional planning body for all eight states.
- 10% Gross Budgetary Support: The central government has mandated that each ministry must earmark 10% of its Gross Budgetary Support for the NE region, monitored by MDoNER.
Connection to this news: NESIDS operates alongside the 10% GBS earmarking and NEC allocations, representing an additional layer of targeted central support. The scheme's monitoring structure -- involving MDoNER, NEC, and third-party inspectors -- reflects the need for robust oversight given the terrain challenges and execution difficulties that have historically delayed projects in the NE region.
Key Facts & Data
- NESIDS: Launched 2017-18, restructured 2022-23 into Roads and OTRI components
- 82 projects sanctioned costing Rs 4,703.81 crore (across FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and FY 2025-26)
- 100% centrally funded -- no state contribution required
- Coverage: All 8 NE states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
- International borders of NE region: ~5,484 km with 5 countries (Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Bhutan)
- NE region shares over 98% of its borders with international neighbours
- 10% GBS earmarking: All central ministries must allocate 10% of budget for NE region
- North Eastern Council: Statutory body under NEC Act, 1971, acts as regional planning body