HLTF brainstorm ‘Logistics, Infrastructure Connectivity in NER’
Tshering Thendup Bhutia, Minister of Commerce & Industries, Sikkim, has called for developing an alternate road alignment to the existing NH-10 needs to be developed as the existing highway gets affected every year by torrential rainfall and landslides https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Speaking at a High-Level Task Force (HLTF) meeting on 6 Aug, he emphasized the need for developing climate resilient infrastructure in NER. He further emphasized the need to develop infrastructure to boost trade with Nepal https://ted.europa.eu/en/ .
The HTLF meeting on “Logistics, Infrastructure Connectivity in NER” was attended by Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, and chaired by Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and included the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Prof Lalnilawma, Minister of Public Health Engineering & Rural Development of Mizoram, and Bhutia.
The HLTF meeting focused on critical gaps in the North Eastern Region (NER) in the sectors of Highways, Railways, Waterways, Airways, Logistics, and digital connectivity. To bridge these gaps, the HLTF meeting decided to formulate a comprehensive Infrastructure Masterplan. The plan will be developed in consultation with all eight North Eastern States and Central Ministries, ensuring a collaborative approach to regional development https://www.nseindia.com/.
The key points of discussion during the meeting included identification of state-specific bottlenecks and challenges, critical connectivity gaps and prioritized infrastructure needs, integration of state budgets & national investments for capital formation, and implementation roadmap for Viksit NER @ 2047.
The meeting noted that the execution of Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) has been expedited and it will connect the NER to the Sittwe Port in Myanmar.
A call was also made to enhance air connectivity to the Hollongi Airport by increasing the frequency of flights http://aai.aero.
Minister Scindia outlined five suggestions for bridging infrastructure and connectivity gaps:
- Convergence of NER Infrastructure Grid by preparing a regional Master Plan;
- Establishment of a Monitoring Mechanism for priority projects for the NER;
- Policy push for Multimodal logistic park by way of offering various tax and other concessions;
- Boosting cross border connectivity to promote international trade with neighbouring countries;
- Enhancing digital connectivity and power transmission infrastructure.
The Minister further added that all the infrastructure projects in the NER should be mapped on the PM GatiShakti Portal for better planning of future projects. He urged all the NER States that they should update their state Logistics Policy as per the metric prepared by the Ministry based on the best practices throughout the country, preferably before the next NEC Plenary Session. The industrial clusters may be developed in the NER along the transport corridors for rapid economic growth of the region https://www.bseindia.com/.
Earlier this year, the Centre had formed Eight High-Level Task Force, each headed by one of the Chief Ministers of the NE States along, with Minister of MDoNER and three Chief Ministers of other States as members. The initiative stems from a consensus reached during the 72Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), held on 21 December 2024 at Agartala, the Ministry of Development of North-East Region said on 8 Aug https://sbi.com.in/.
HLTFs have been formed on (1) Promotion of Sports in NER; (2) North East Economic corridor; (3) Investment Promotion in NER; (4) Handlooms & Handicrafts in NER; (5) Tourism in NER; (6) Infrastructure, Logistics’ cost and Connectivity in NER; (7) Agriculture & Horticulture for addressing gaps in value chain and market; and (8) Attaining Self-reliance in milk, eggs, fish and meat production in NER. Fiinews.com
