Viksit Bharat 2047: Northeast India serving as Southeast Asia’s logistical entry point

The Indian government is focusing on improving infrastructure, increasing exports and expanding India’s infrastructure in its plan to make India “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. The government is laying emphasis on policies like “National Prime Minister GatiShakti Plan” and “National Instrumental Policy” which are effective measures to achieve this goal. To ensure greater participation, many projects have been identified under the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti Yojana programme. This will improve the
‘s logistics equipment and reduce costs. Destroying the main corridor will increase efficiency, resulting in greater safety and higher passenger speeds. This corridor, along with certain corridors, will accelerate India’s GDP growth and reduce material costs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on unprecedented integration to achieve the Prime Minister’s (PM) vision of positioning the North as the engine of India’s development through initiatives such as developing Nyaruguru district -DevINE. India’s Northern Territory (NER) shares a 5,812 km international border with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, making the region a gateway to business opportunities and international connectivity with eastern and southern Asia. However, despite its great potential, the region has historically suffered from poor infrastructure and infrastructure. Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues, various initiatives of the Government of India such as the East Asia Policy Act and the North East Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) have launched various initiatives to demonstrate the economic potential of NER. to full growth.

Efforts are also being made to improve connectivity between NER and Bangladesh by using ports such as Chattogram and Mongla for transit and transfer of cargo. Bangladesh’s recent decision to share the port with India is a significant development that is expected to reduce the time and costs required to transport goods to the Northeast by almost a third compared to the existing Siliguri route. Besides port infrastructure, the government will also focus on improving road, rail and air transport networks in the NER. The Special Rapid Road Development Plan (SARDP) aims to develop more than 7,000 km of roads in the region and improve connectivity both within the NER and across the country. Efforts are being made to expand railway networks and improve connectivity with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal. In NER, between 2014 and 2022, 893.82 kilometers of railway lines were converted into
high-line railways, 386.84 kilometers of new lines were added and 356.41 kilometers of double lines were built. The development is expected to increase transportation efficiency and facilitate the flow of goods within and outside the region. Many regional waterways offer unique opportunities for low-cost freight transportation. Efforts are being made to increase domestic and border trade by expanding the Canal both within the country and with neighboring countries by using the country’s waterways such as the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.

In a further development, the Ministry of Ports, Transport and Water Resources (MoPSW) has established a first-of-its-kind Gati Shakti Research Chair at IIM Shillong to enhance the knowledge and training of PM GatiShakti Master Planners. future . area. The world-famous institute, which includes all-year and first-year students, is the only IIM in NER. This partnership, launched by Minister of Ports, Transport and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal at IIM Shillong on February 23, 2024, will accelerate activities and social impact in critical infrastructure that aligns well with the mission. Change agency to wake up tomorrow. The Institute is committed to imparting and disseminating knowledge that will play an important role in solving critical problems such as infrastructure development, multi-modal integration and market management through innovative leadership and research capabilities. Additionally, IIM Shillong’s focus on international relations also aligns with Prime Minister Gati Shakti’s mission to promote deeper global trade and investment. This partnership, in all its potential, has great potential to change the landscape of Indian logistics, especially in the region, and pave the way for a bright and sustainable future.

The government’s focus on infrastructure development in the NER through all its programs represents an important step towards opening up the region’s economy and supporting overall development. By improving connectivity and reducing logistical barriers, these initiatives are expected to provide new opportunities for trade, investment and employment, ultimately helping to integrate regional development into the broader Indian economy. As the infrastructure continues to develop, it will play an important role in transforming the NER into a major economic hub for the development of its population.