The 3rd meeting of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on Infrastructure, Logistics Cost and Connectivity in the North Eastern Region (NER) was chaired by Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, on December 22, 2025. The meeting marked a key step toward positioning the Northeast as India’s next engine of growth and a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia, with active participation from Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), along with Chief Ministers of Northeastern states and senior officials from Central Ministries.
High-Level Participation and Strategic Review
The meeting was attended by Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, and senior representatives from Central Ministries and North Eastern States. The HLTF reviewed regional logistics and connectivity challenges, assessed short-, medium- and long-term infrastructure priorities, and deliberated on institutional mechanisms and inter-ministerial coordination for effective implementation across the NER.
Tripura CM Presents Comprehensive Roadmap
Chief Minister Manik Saha presented a phase-wise, comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening:
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Logistics efficiency and reduced logistics costs
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Multimodal connectivity
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Cross-border trade corridors
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Digital and power enablers
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Institutional and financial mechanisms
Emphasising the need to view the Northeast as a unified economic region, he called for close coordination among key Central Ministries, including Roads & Highways, Railways, Civil Aviation, Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Power, IT & Telecom, and Petroleum & Natural Gas. He also highlighted the importance of proactive resolution of forest and environmental clearance challenges to fast-track infrastructure projects.
Mizoram’s Role under Act East Policy
Chief Minister Lalduhoma underscored Mizoram’s potential to act as a regional gateway to neighbouring countries under the Act East Policy. He advocated for accelerated progress on strategic connectivity projects such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, and highlighted the role of border trade, logistics development, and institutional support in achieving the Task Force’s objectives.
Union Minister Highlights Need for Multi-Ministry Coordination
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia appreciated the roadmap proposed by the Tripura Chief Minister, noting it as a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy for enhancing logistics and connectivity in the NER. He emphasised that effective execution would require close collaboration between Central Ministries and State Governments. Given the framework’s cross-cutting nature, he suggested seeking inputs from Line Ministries such as MoRTH, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Railways, and NITI Aayog before finalising the HLTF report.
Background: HLTFs for Focused Regional Development
Earlier in 2025, MDoNER constituted eight High-Level Task Forces, each chaired by a Chief Minister from the Northeast, with the Union Minister (MDoNER) and three other NE Chief Ministers as members. This initiative followed a consensus reached at the 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held on December 21, 2024, in Agartala, aimed at accelerating region-specific development through focused, outcome-oriented frameworks.
Conclusion
The 3rd HLTF meeting reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a logistics-efficient, well-connected growth hub integral to India’s Act East ambitions. With a unified regional approach, robust inter-ministerial coordination, and targeted investments, the NER is poised to emerge as a critical driver of India’s economic growth and a strategic bridge to Southeast Asia.
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Source: PIB
