The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is a Government of India ministry, established in September 2001, which functions as the nodal Department of the Central Government to deal with matters related to the socio-economic development of the eight States of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.[1] It acts as a facilitator between the Central Ministries/ Departments and the State Governments of the North Eastern Region in the economic development including removal of infrastructural bottlenecks, provision of basic minimum services, creating an environment for private investment and to remove impediments to lasting peace and security in the North Eastern Region.
The Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) was created in 2001 and was accorded the status of a full-fledged ministry in May 2004. The ministry is mainly concerned with the creation of infrastructure for economic development of North-Eastern region.
Main activities/functions of the DoNER.
Non Lapsible Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR)[3] Coordination with the Central Ministries and the State Governments of the NE states.
Capacity Building
Advocacy and Publicity
International Cooperation
Enterprises of the Department
Organisations
The ministry has following organisations functioning under it:[4]
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.(NEDFi)
North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
The Sikkim Mining Corporation Limited. (SMC)
North Eastern Handlooms and Handicrafts Development Corporation (NEHHDC)
Cabinet Ministers
Note: MoS, I/C – Minister of State (Independent Charge)
NE has 5,000 km border with Nepal, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar while being isolated and connected to rest of India by 20 km narrow chicken-neck Siliguri Corridor.[12]
Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE) plan for the China border roads.[14]
Funding:
Total approved (A+B): ₹626,000 million (equivalent to ₹880 billion or US$11 billion in 2023) (until Dec 2017).[15][16]
A.₹326,000 million (equivalent to ₹460 billion or US$5.5 billion in 2023) 3,840 km approved and ₹135,000 million (equivalent to ₹190 billion or US$2.3 billion in 2023) 1,266 km completed (2014 to Dec 2017).[15][16][17]
₹53,000 million (equivalent to ₹74 billion or US$890 million in 2023) additional funding released to ensure completion by March 2023 of current NE NH projects by plugging the gap, on 100% centre-funding basis, instead of usual 90:10 centre-state funding mechanism (Dec 2017).[16]
B.₹300,000 million (equivalent to ₹420 billion or US$5.0 billion in 2023) additional approved under Bharatmala for NE NH (Dec 2017).[15][16]
NHIDCL launched in 2015 building of 100 strategic 7,000 km long border roads at the cost of ₹800,000 million (equivalent to ₹1.1 trillion, US$13 billion or €14 billion in 2023) across India including in Arunachal (Dec 2017 update).[15][16]
BRO border roads: — 73 border roads: incl. Sikkim and Arunachal, all to be completed by March 2022 (June 2017).[23][24] — 410 border bridges: - 144 in Arunachal (75 under construction completing by 2020), - 40 in Sikkim under construction (Dec 2017).[25] — 17 border rail and road tunnels: total length of 100 km, - Arunachal (Nechipu Pass (near Bomdila) and Sela Pass tunnels on Bogibeel Assam to Sagalee to Tawang NH13), - North Sikkim (578 meter Theng Pass tunnel on NH310A between Chungthang and Tung) (Dec 2017).[26][27]
2,570 km approved NH (1917+653 in-progress and completed) in Arunachal, 36% road connectivity, 22 km per 100 km2 Arunachal road density including dirt tracks (c. Nov 2017).[28]
47 new inter-state roads of 1,666 km costing ₹50,000 million (equivalent to ₹70 billion or US$840 million in 2023), of which 4 were taken within plan ending March 2017.[12]
₹23,090 million (equivalent to ₹32 billion or US$390 million in 2023) projects executed,
₹5,790 million (equivalent to ₹8.1 billion or US$97 million in 2023) to ₹9,690 million (equivalent to ₹14 billion or US$160 million in 2023) rise in the annual budget.
56 to 138 increase in the number of projects, incl. Bramputra Study Centre established to research river ecosystem.
PMGSY roads in NE, including border village roads].[30] Relaxation to be given to the minimum 250 people habitation in case of villages within 50 km of border.[12]
NER railways,[31][32][33][34] In December 2017, 15 new NE railway projects of 1,385 km length were approved at the cost of ₹470,000 million (equivalent to ₹660 billion, US$7.9 billion or €8.1 billion in 2023).
Airports development phase-I (fy2016-17 to fy2019-20)
Airports Authority of India (AAI) will spend ₹25,000 million (equivalent to ₹35 billion, US$420 million or €430 million in 2023) between 2018 and 2020, including the following will be completed by 2019-20 (c. Dec 2017):[39][40]
Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, currently ₹5,000 million (equivalent to ₹7.0 billion, US$84 million or €86 million in 2023) new terminal building upgrade to international airport,[39]
The central government will invest a further ₹80,000 million (equivalent to ₹110 billion, US$1.3 billion or €1.4 billion in 2023) to develop more NR airports.[40] Several advanced landing ground heliports will be upgraded to dual army-civilian airports.[40] This likely includes the following:[42][37][38]
More potential NER National Waterwaysare being considered.[44][45]
Power
As of December 2017, ₹98,650 million (equivalent to ₹140 billion, US$1.7 billion or €1.7 billion in 2023) power transmission grid project approved in 2014 is being implemented of which 2,540 km lines already laid, and 16 hydro power projects of 5676 MW being implemented and additional 694 MW projects already implemented.[15][16]
Tourism
Projects include approval of ₹2,070 million (equivalent to ₹2.9 billion, US$35 million or €36 million in 2023) in 2016 to prevent erosion of world's largest riverine island of Majuli, development of Spiritual Circuit in Manipur, Tourist Circuit in Sikkim, Tribal Circuit in Nagaland and Umiam Lake in meghalaya (Dec 2017 update).[15][16]
Sittwe Port, Myanmar's multimodel port being developed by India
Sabang Deepsea Port, jointly developed by India and Indonesia under strategic military and economic agreement, Indira Point, India's southernmost point, is close to Indonesia's Rondo Island and Aceh Province.
India and ASEAN have plans to extend this route to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as this connectivity will generate annually, an estimated US$70 billion in incremental GDP and 20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025, and India has offered US$1 billion line-of-credit for this project (c. Dec 2017).[52]
Imphal-Moreh-Mandalay national highway upgrade
Imphal-Moreh-Mandalay Highway currently exists. In May 2017, the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highway stated that it would spend an estimated ₹7,500 million (equivalent to ₹11 billion or US$130 million in 2023) to upgrade roads and highways in North East India in order to boost the region's connectivity with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Among these projects, the Ministry plans to widen the 108 km (67 mi) Imphal-Moreh highway in Manipur which currently serves as an important trade route between India and Myanmar.[53] This would provide the Manipur's capital city of Imphal with direct access to the trilateral highway.[53]
Zokhawthar-Mandalay road strengthening
Mizoram-Kalemyo Highway is a road widening and strengthening project planned by India. In May 2017, the Indian Ministry of Road Transport also plans to construct a 120 km (75 mi) highway linking Zokhawthar-Rikhawdar (also called "Rih") near Champhai, a border town in Mizoram, with the trilateral highway at Kalemyo. This will serve as a second route providing direct connectivity from Mizoram to the trilateral highway.[53]
Manipur-Mandalay bus service is pending subject to the signing of motor vehicle agreement. In September 2017, Indian ambassador to Myanmar announced that an Imphal-Mandalay India-Myanmar bus service will commence from 2018 after India and Myanmar sign the motor vehicle agreement.[56]
Imphal-Kalay-Mandalay flight is a proposed air service. In September 2017, Indian ambassador to Myanmar also proposed that a flight service from Imphal in Manipur to Mandalay via stopover in Kalay (Kalaymyo) in Sagaing Division of Myanmar could be started under UDAN regional connectivity scheme.[56] It was proposed to DoNER in 2012 and a successful trial run was conducted in December 2015.[57]
Tinsukia-Myitkyina railway is a proposed new railway link between the existing rail stations at Tinsukia-Doom Dooma in Assam state of India and Myitkyina in Kachin State of Myanmar, by laying new rail track via Shin Bway Yang and Sumprabum. Indian Railways uses broad gauge (1,676 mm or 5 ft 6 in) and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia use narrow gauge (1 meter). In December 2017, India offered a US$1 billion line of credit to build connections to ASEAN nations.[58]
Imphal-Kalaymyo railway
Imphal-Kalaymyo railway is a proposed new railway link between the existing rail stations at Imphal in Manipur of India and Kalay in Myanmar. Indian Railways uses broad gauge (1,676 mm or 5 ft 6 in) and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia use narrow gauge (1 meter). In December 2017, India offered a US1 billion line of credit to build connections to ASEAN nations.[58]
Aizawl-Wuntho railway
Aizawl-Wuntho railway is a proposed new railway link between the existing railway station at Wuntho in Myanmar and by extending the under construction Bairabi–Sairang line via Aizawl-Champhai in Mizoram of India to Wuntho in Myanmar which currently goes further north up to Myitkyina towards China–Myanmar border. These are to be taken up with assistance of India's 1 billion line of credit for connections to ASEAN nations.[58]
Aizawl-Kalaymyo railway
Aizawl-Kalaymyo railway is a proposed new railway link between the existing railway station Kalay in Myanmar and by extending the under construction Bairabi–Sairang line via Aizawl-Champhai in Mizoram of India to Kalay in Myanmar. These are to be taken up with assistance of India's 1 billion line of credit for connections to ASEAN nations.[58]
Aizawl-Kyauktaw-Sittwe railway
Aizawl-Kyauktaw-Sittwe railway is a proposed new railway link between the existing Kyauktaw-Sittwe railway in Myanmar and by extending the under construction Bairabi–Sairang line via Aizawl-Lunglei-Lawngtlai in Mizoram of India to Sittwe Port in Myanmar developed by India. Kyauktaw to Minbu is an under construction railway to link Sittwe with the exiting Myanmar railway network. These are to be taken up with assistance of India's 1 billion line of credit for connections to ASEAN nations.[58]
India-Myanmar-Thailand railway is a proposed new railway link, parts of which already exist, by constructing missing links between Aizawl and Imphal to Myanmar railway network and by linking existing railway lines in southern Myanmar to the Thailand rail network in 2 locations:
Mongnai existing railway east in Myanmar to Chiang Mai in north-west Thailand
Laos-Vietnam railway: In 2012, an agreement for the construction of 220-kilometre $5 billion line, from Savannakhet in south Laos to Port of Vũng Ang in Vietnam, via Mụ Giạ Pass and Tan Ap (intersects Vietnam railway network), was awarded to a Malaysian company "Giant Consolidated Limited" to complete the construction from 2013 to 2017.[63][64] By December 2016, installation of corridor posts along the proposed railway right-of-way was completed.[65] In future, Savannakhet is planned to be connected to the existing railway in Thailand at Khon Kaen or Ubon Ratchathani.
India-Myanmar-Thailand-Cambodia railway link is a proposed new railway link, parts of which already exist, by constructing missing links between Aizawl and Imphal to Myanmar railway network, to Thailand, to Combodia to connect the rail network in Cambodia. Cambodia has existing rail link with Thailand at Poipet (Krong Poi Pet), though train services is currently suspended (2017).
India-Myanmar-Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam railway is a proposed new railway link, parts of which already exist, by constructing missing links between Aizawl and Imphal to Myanmar railway network, to Thailand, to Combodia to connect Vietnam Railways. Cambodia has existing rail link with Thailand at Poipet (Krong Poi Pet) though train services is currently suspended (2017) and Phnom Penh-Hoa Lu-Dĩ An connection with Vietnam is under construction (2017), while there is no current or planned rail connection to Laos. Indian Railways uses broad gauge (1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)) and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia use meter gauge (1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)).
Padang Besar, Malaysia-Padang Besar, Thailand: Both the Malaysian and Thai towns where the crossing is located are known by the same name. This crossing connects to Malaysia's West Coast trunk line and Thailand's main southern line to Bangkok via Hat Yai. Both Malaysian and Thai customs, immigration and quarantine formalities are conducted at Malaysia's Padang Besar railway station.
Rantau Panjang-Sungai Kolok: On the Malaysian side, this bridge crossing is on a branch line which is connected to Malaysia's East Coast line. In Thailand, the crossing is connected to the Su-ngai Kolok branch line which links up with the main southern line at Hat Yai. The crossing is currently not in use (January 2018).
India-Bangladesh Sabroom-Cox Bazar railway
Bangladesh railway map
This will extend the existing Sabroom in south Tripura on the border of Bangladesh to Khagrachari-Rangamati-Bandarban district headquarters in the tribal areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts, joining the existing Chittagong-Satkania track at Satkania and proceeding further on the new track to the Cox's Bazar which is one of the official port for transit to India.
India-Bangladesh Baraiya-Zokhawtar railway
This will extend the existing Sabroom in south Tripura on the border of Bangladesh to Baraiya (southwest Tripura)-Chaggalnaiya (Bangladesh)-Manu Bazar (South Tripura)-Sabroom-Khargachari-Magrum-Nunsri
Lunglei-Aizawl-Zokhawtar-Kalemo.
India-Bangladesh Bandarban-Tuiping railway
Route for this will be Bandarban (Bangladesh)-Tuiping (Mizoram)-Niawhtlang (Mizoram-Burma border)-Gangaw (Myanmar).
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