Major road, rail and digital connectivity projects gain momentum in the North Eastern Region.

New Delhi, January 30, 2026: The Central Government has shared the latest progress of key road, rail and digital connectivity projects in the North Eastern Region (NER), highlighting significant infrastructure expansion aimed at accelerating socio-economic development.

Expansion of road:

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the length of National Highways in the NER has increased from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km as of April 1, 2025.

Currently, 177 road projects spanning 3,635 km, with a total investment of Rs 87,119 crore, are under various stages of implementation across the region.

The Ministry of Rural Development informed that since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a total of 17,666 road projects covering 89,503 km and 2,396 bridge projects have been approved in the North Eastern States.

Of these, 16,547 road projects covering 81,448 km and 2,126 bridges have been completed, with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 53,353.49 crore, including the state share.

Under various schemes of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), 647 road and bridge projects worth Rs 8,260.88 crore have been approved so far. Out of these, 500 projects costing Rs 4,915 crore have already been completed.

Railway Infrastructure development:

The Ministry of Railways stated that railway projects are planned and executed on a railway-wise basis, as they often span multiple states and districts.

As of April 1, 2025, 12 railway projects—including 8 new lines and 4 doubling projects—with a total length of 777 km have been sanctioned in the North Eastern Region at an estimated cost of Rs 69,342 crore.

Of this, 278 km has already been commissioned.

Digital and mobile connectivity:

The Department of Telecommunications reported that 6,355 Gram Panchayats in the North Eastern Region have been prepared for high-bandwidth broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project by December 2025.

Additionally, under the government-funded 4G Saturation Project and other mobile connectivity initiatives, 3,718 mobile towers have been installed, covering 5,366 villages and locations across the region.

The government noted that the implementation timeline of infrastructure projects depends on factors such as difficult terrain, land availability, statutory clearances, and logistical challenges.

Once completed, these projects are expected to significantly benefit the region by improving connectivity, enabling faster movement of essential goods and agricultural produce, generating employment, boosting tourism and industrial activity, and strengthening the integration of the North Eastern states with the national mainstream.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi will address two rallies in Arrah and Nawada and a roadshow in Patna on Sunday.

EOM.