‘Centre working to turn NE states into nation’s growth engine’: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Sharing data on developmental works carried out in the region over the last decade under BJP rule, Scindia highlighted, “10,000 km of National Highway was built in NE India during the first 65 years of Independence, while 5,500 km of National Highway has been newly constructed in just the last ten years. Previously, only one out of the eight NE states had railway connectivity (until 2014), but now, three states are connected. In the next 2-3 years, we hope to see railway services extended to all eight states of the NE.”

Scindia noted that 19 railway projects are being implemented in the region, with a financial outlay of Rs 82,000 crore. He added that the pace of work has increased significantly under BJP leadership.

“Railway track laying performance has risen from 60 km per month to 190 km per month—three times the earlier rate,” he stated.

Regarding regional airport services, Scindia mentioned that while the NER had nine airports in 2014 and two states lacked airports, the region now operates 17 airports.

Speaking about development in Tripura during the Modi government’s tenure, Scindia stated that the state now has a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 90,000 crore, with a 15 percent per capita GDP growth rate, which is higher than the national average.

The per capita income in Tripura is currently Rs. 1.60 lakh. Scindia emphasized that the Centre aims to assist the state in increasing its industrial sector’s contribution to GSDP to 50 percent.

On fund allocation, he pointed out that Rs. 8,900 crore was provided to Tripura during the Congress regime from 2009-2014, whereas Rs. 8,300 crore in tax devolution has been given to the state in the current financial year alone, showcasing a significant rise in focus on development under the BJP-led government.

“Funds available to Tripura over a decade under non-BJP governments are now available in a single year. Tripura is now the third state in the country to have an international Internet gateway. The state has seen 663 km of National Highway constructed, broad-gauge railway services introduced in 2016, and the integrated terminal building at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport inaugurated in 2022. The Agartala-Akhaura railway project has also been completed, and four Amrit Bharat railway stations are being redeveloped,” he remarked, underscoring the rapid development trajectory of the NER, which his ministry oversees.

Scindia further noted that India has achieved the fastest 5G rollout globally, covering 99 percent of districts and 82 percent of the population within 21 months.

“5G coverage is nearly complete across the country, and India is now working on 6G,” he said.

He concluded by announcing a collective effort to set up 119 towers in the region, with a funding allocation of Rs 700 crore for Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura.