In the past decade, there has been long term peace all over the Northeast region leading to new ideas flourishing and investments flowing in.
There are many examples that the North East is changing as this new breed is going into unchartered territory as the region provides more opportunities than challenges.
There are sporadic incidents, slow pace in achieving a Naga solution, but the peace has taken an irreversible stand and today in front of the mighty denim of peace for all the people.
The emerging challenge is to invent new ways of ensuring the participation of States in the formulation of national policies and motivating them for effective implementation in key development areas.

The region is a vantage entry point to southeastern Asian markets.
Moreover, no less than five major bridges over Brahmaputra, along with the world’s longest bridge at Dhubri-Phulbari are in the various stages of construction which are going to unlock North East India completely.
The two single biggest fast-moving projects is the 1500-kilometer-long Trans Arunachal Highway from Sousa north of Teepee to Naharkatiya near Nagaland through Arunachal Pradesh. The project is worth $1.4 Billion.
The other one is the Jirbam-Imphal railway line, opening up Manipur to the vast railway network of India.
Under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North-East (SARDP-NE), the Trans-Arunachal highway is being developed.
Under the initiative, a sub-regional Motor Vehicle Agreement allows buses and later private vehicles with a Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal (BBIN) permit.

Lack of Agricultural Infrastructure: The absence of efficient cold storage chains exposes cultivators to market fluctuations.
Tourism isn’t in full capacity: Tourism, too, has not made much headway due to poor infrastructure development.
Federal Issues: There are uncoordinated and fragmented efforts by individual states.
High expenditure: Each Ministry of the Union Government is required to spend at least 10 per cent of its budget in the North-East.
Lack of investment: To harness the full potential of these sectors, significant investments will be required in upgrading the region’s infrastructure, education and skill development.

Strengths

Several tourist attractions such as Blue Mountain (Phawngpui-Mizoram), Palak Lake (Mizoram), Kangla Fort (Manipur), Majuli (river island in Assam).
Presence of an ethnic, tribal culture each with unique customs and traditions.
The north-eastern region has a very well-performing gender development index.
Rich bamboo reserves.
The abundance of natural resources like limestone as well as water for hydropower potential.
Safe and clean, pollution-free environment.

Weakness

Opportunities

Development of the handicraft industry.
Flood management system to improve accessibility.
Linkages to existing tourism circuits.
Trade can drastically be improved by improving infrastructural facilities and accessibility.

Threats

Overuse and commercialization of eco-sensitive zones could lead to depletion of resources and weakening of attraction.
Regional connectivity concerns.
Land banks and land availability not addressed.
Migration of local people to urban areas for employment prospects.

The North-East region has great potential to develop not just as a self, sustaining economic unit of India but also contribute to the success story of the country, which is reflected by the PM’s focus on this region.

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