Arunachal emerging as Northeast’s growth engine: Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the State is witnessing unprecedented growth across sectors, asserting that it is no longer viewed as a remote frontier but is rapidly emerging as a major growth engine of the Northeast.

Addressing the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Khandu highlighted the transformation taking place in the frontier State, driven by massive investments in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship and hydropower.

“Arunachal Pradesh is moving faster than ever before,” Khandu said in a post on X after attending the plenary session.

Emphasising the pace of development, he said the State is witnessing remarkable progress from roads to airports, tourism to startups, agriculture to hydropower, adding that these sectors are attracting unprecedented growth and investment.

“What was once seen as a frontier is today emerging as a growth engine of the Northeast,” the chief minister said, underlining Arunachal Pradesh’s growing role in the region’s economic transformation. Khandu expressed confidence about the future prospects of both Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, stating that the region stands at a defining moment in its development journey.

“The opportunities before Arunachal and the Northeast have never been greater,” he said. Calling for an ambitious approach to development, Khandu urged stakeholders to seize the moment and accelerate the pace of progress. “The time to think big, act boldly, and deliver results is now,” he added.

The 73rd NEC Plenary Session brought together governors, chief ministers and senior officials from all eight northeastern states to deliberate on regional development priorities and strengthen inter-State cooperation.

The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar and other senior policymakers.

The plenary session assumes significance as it is discussing the North East Vision Plan 2047, a long-term roadmap aimed at transforming the region into a hub of economic growth, connectivity, innovation, sustainability and cultural prosperity by the centenary year of India’s Independence, officials said.

The meeting is also reviewing progress in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture and horticulture, investment promotion, infrastructure and connectivity, sports development, economic corridors, self-reliance in food production, and handloom and handicrafts.

Established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, the NEC serves as the apex regional planning and coordination body for the Northeast.