The North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme was launched in 2011. It aims to build 433 km long roads in six north eastern states. They were Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim. The project should be completed by August 2022. Around 36 lakh people are benefitted from the programme.

What is the need for the programme?

• North East needs special attention as compared to the rest of India. For instance, Assam is the world largest tea producer. However, it lags in industrialisation.
• The seven sister states of the North East are surrounded by 5,300 km. Thus, it is essential to provide border protection, especial along Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
• People of North East feel alienated from the rest of the country because of lack of modern infrastructure, less exposure, poverty and unemployment.
• For the above reasons, it is essential to improve the connectivity in the region. Also, the connectivity in the region is needed to control the insurgency.

What is the current status?

Currently, the North – Eastern Council is focusing on building 10,500 km in the region. Under the NEC, a new scheme called North East Road Sector Development was launched. It mainly focuses on Arunachal Pradesh.