Infrastructure development will be northeast’s growth engine: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced a slew of road projects for the northeast region and said infrastructure development here will serve as the “growth engine”. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’, being hosted on June 15-16 at the Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong.

The Union Transport Minister emphasised the central government’s commitment to the region’s development. “We’re committed to ensuring progress of the northeast region, equivalent to other states,” he said.

Announcing a series of road infrastructure projects, the minister for roads, transport and highways said, “Infrastructure development in northeast will serve as growth engine for the region.”

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with several other dignitaries, were present on the dais.

Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said, “Earlier, we didn’t dare to dream, but now we are, and that’s a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region.”

The mega summit aims to shine a spotlight on the growth potential of the eight northeastern states.

Earlier in the day, Gadkari also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies for the summit hosted at Lariti Performing Centre here.

Ahead of the inaugural session, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed described the summit as a first-of-its-kind event and a “historic moment” for the region.

“The northeast is no more the periphery, but the pole of India’s future and growth,” he added.