MUMBAI, May 1: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, said on Thursday that the government aims to develop the northeastern region into India’s growth region by integrating all eight states under a unified development framework.

At a meeting in Mumbai to promote investment in the region, Scindia outlined the Centre’s strategic vision to transform the Northeast into a new growth engine for India. According to a statement from the Ministry of Development of North-East Region, the minister stressed the significance of public-private partnerships in fast-tracking sustainable development across the region.

“The goal is to integrate the eight states into one unified development goal as India’s growth engine,” Scindia said, adding that close collaboration between the government and industry leaders is vital.

The statement also announced the upcoming ‘Rising Northeast Investment Summit 2025’, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on May 23–24. The summit is expected to serve as a vital platform for connecting key stakeholders, investors, and policymakers to unlock the region’s untapped economic potential.

In preparation for the summit, the Union Minister met in Mumbai with prominent industrialists including Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and N. Chandrasekaran (Tata Sons). The meetings were part of a broader engagement strategy to build investor confidence in the region.

Scindia also briefed the industrialists on key initiatives undertaken by the ministry, including the formation of a High-Level Task Force comprising the Chief Ministers of all eight northeastern states, and the establishment of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in each state.

Additionally, Dharmvir Jha, Statistical Advisor in the Ministry of DoNER, made a presentation highlighting investment opportunities across various sectors such as agro-based industries, textiles, and tourism.

Further bolstering the government’s development agenda, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a significant infrastructure project on Wednesday. The proposal involves the development, maintenance, and management of a 4-lane greenfield access-controlled National Highway spanning 166.80 km from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on a hybrid annuity model. The total capital outlay for the project is Rs 22,864 crore.

Of the total stretch, 144.80 km lies in Meghalaya, while 22 km falls in Assam. The high-speed corridor is expected to enhance regional connectivity and spur industrial growth, particularly in Meghalaya’s cement and coal production zones.

The highway project and investment summit underscore the Centre’s comprehensive approach to elevating the Northeast as a critical pillar in India’s economic landscape.