Aizawl: The third meeting of the High-Level Task Force on the North East Economic Corridor has discussed measures to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh and India’s northeastern states and to further strengthen the India-Myanmar-Thailand transport corridor, officials said on Tuesday.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma chaired the virtual meeting on Monday, which was attended by Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with ministers and senior officials from various northeastern states.
State Planning Secretary Lalmalsawma Pachuau presented a detailed review of the progress made during the first two meetings and outlined key proposals under consideration.
Among the major topics discussed were the development of cross-border connectivity corridors linking Bangladesh with the Northeast, upgrading the India-Myanmar-Thailand transport route, and developing Guwahati as a central hub with improved helicopter links across the region.
The task force also deliberated on improving inland waterways, enhancing railway networks, and introducing electric train services to reduce transportation costs.
Other key issues included the expansion of digital connectivity, modernization of border trade infrastructure, and initiatives to improve branding and marketing of northeastern products.
According to officials, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) currently operates over 6,800 track kilometres, with ambitious projects underway to connect state capitals like Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
These new rail links, coupled with multimodal logistics hubs, aim to better integrate the region into national and international supply chains.
The participants agreed to finalize the Task Force’s report soon, paving the way for concrete policy implementation.
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The DoNER Ministry had constituted several high-level task forces following the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held in November last year in Agartala, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
These task forces are responsible for formulating short, medium, and long-term strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor.
On Monday, Scindia also attended virtual meetings of the Task Force on Agri-Horticulture Development and the Task Force on Tourism in the North Eastern Region.
