New Delhi: The Central government has approved projects worth over Rs. 620 crore aimed at strengthening road and bridge connectivity across the northeastern region and other hill states.
The move is part of the Centre’s broader push to spur economic activity and improve access to essential services in remote and underserved areas.
A significant portion of the funding—Rs. 474.71 crore—has been sanctioned under Phase III of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) for northeastern states such as Manipur and Mizoram, alongside Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Manipur will receive Rs. 225.15 crore for the construction of 41 rural roads spanning nearly 281 km.
This adds to an earlier allocation of Rs. 404.72 crore for 56 roads covering over 502 km already sanctioned under the same scheme.
In Mizoram, Rs. 67.69 crore has been approved for the construction of seven long-span bridges totalling 373.46 metres.
The state had previously received Rs. 562.70 crore under PMGSY-III for 17 rural roads covering nearly 488 km.
The Centre has also cleared infrastructure development under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
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Under this initiative, Tripura will benefit from 26 new roads (63.27 km) and two long-span bridges, with a combined investment of Rs. 69.65 crore.
Additionally, Odisha, though not a northeastern state, has been allocated Rs. 76.47 crore for 25 rural roads spanning over 84 km under PM-JANMAN.
The Rural Development Ministry said the focus of these projects is to enhance rural connectivity, improve access to healthcare, education, and local markets, and ultimately stimulate trade and economic integration in the far-flung areas of the Northeast.
