Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma chairs first meeting of Northeast Economic Corridor task force

Guwahati: The first meeting of the High-Level Task Force on the Northeast Economic Corridor (NEEC) was held on Wednesday via video conference under the chairmanship of Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also serves as the Convener of the Task Force.

Lalduhoma emphasized the significances of the Northeast region in India’s economic developmental journey and highlighted the need to enhance regional cooperation with other Asian countries to ensure faster and more inclusive growth.

He stated that the establishment of the High Level Task Force on NEEC is aimed at assessment of the existing economic, infrastructure and investment ecosystem in the NER, highlighting critical sectors, to formulate strategies to attract public and private sector investment, align the objectives of North East Economic Corridor with the action plan to attain measurable targets for short term, medium term and long term milestones.

The Northeast Economic Corridor under the Ministry of DoNER, is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity, trade, and economic growth in the Northeastern Region (NER) of India.

The initiative focuses on improving intra-regional connectivity through the development of ports, road networks, airports, railways, digital infrastructure, and power facilities. It also emphasizes the promotion of major sectoral clusters such as sericulture, agarwood, bamboo, rubber, tea, and agriculture, including high-value crops like kiwi and pineapple. By establishing growth and border centres, the NEEC seeks to leverage local potential, assess existing industries, respond to market demand, and identify strategic zones for development—thereby also encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the NER.

Key members of the Task Force include Union Minister of DoNER, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia; Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Lalduhoma met with Dr. Randir Singh, Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, at his office in Aizawl. During the meeting, various ongoing activities of the Board in Mizoram were discussed.

Lalduhoma expressed his appreciation of the Board’s efforts and conveyed the State Government’s willingness to support the Board's initiatives. He assured that the State would make necessary amendments and align policies as required to facilitate access to the Central Government’s flood bank zoning and its related fund.

He emphasized the importance of cooperation in areas related to increase water sources, watershed development, rainwater harvesting dam and multi-purpose irrigation project, and the need to continue progressing towards a safer and more sustainable riverine system in the State.

Singh explained that the Brahmaputra Board, established in 1982 under the Brahmaputra Board Act, 1980 by the Government of India, is mandated to undertake the integrated development of the Brahmaputra and Barak River basins, particularly in the Northeastern region. The Board’s responsibilities include the preparation of Master Plans for flood management and bank erosion control, detailed project reports (DPRs) for multi-purpose development, survey and investigation of river systems, implementation of anti-erosion and drainage development schemes, and coordination among states for sustainable water resource management.

He highlighted the Board’s regional office in Zemabawk, Mizoram, which is currently functioning from a rented private building, and shared an overview of the Board’s major initiatives in the state. He also outlined plans to accelerate critical projects and interventions in the coming months.