“The Rising Northeast: From Margins to Mainstream in India’s Development Map”, India Narrative, October 02, 2025
“For decades, Northeast India was treated as a distant periphery, rich in culture but lagging in infrastructure and economic opportunity. Today, under the government’s Act East policy, it is being recast as a strategic hub, bridging India with Southeast Asia and serving as a “front-runner of growth.” With record investments across rail, road, air, and digital connectivity, the region is not just being integrated into the national fabric—it is being positioned as a future driver of the Indian economy.
This transformation is not without its complexities. While the scale of development is unprecedented, questions of sustainability, inclusion, and long-term viability must also be addressed. Let us examine the scale, scope, and implications of this dramatic turnaround.
Railways: The Arteries of Integration
Perhaps the most symbolic development is the Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram, inaugurated at a cost of over ₹8,000 crore. Stretching just 51 kilometers, the line includes 143 bridges and 45 tunnels, making it an engineering marvel in the hills. One bridge even surpasses the height of the Qutub Minar…..”
Read full article at Indianarrative.com
