Northeast India Connectivity
Act East Policy and Infrastructure Push
The Act East Policy (2014, evolved from the Look East Policy of 1992) emphasises connectivity with Southeast Asia through India's northeastern states, which share international borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, and Bhutan. Rail connectivity in the northeast has been a strategic priority under both the Act East Policy and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (2021), which aims for integrated multimodal infrastructure development.
- Northeast India shares borders with 5 countries: Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal (Sikkim)
- Only 2% of India's total land border is the Siliguri Corridor ("Chicken's Neck") — the sole connection between NE India and the rest of the country (width: ~22 km)
- PM Gati Shakti: National master plan for multimodal connectivity launched October 2021; integrates 16 ministries for infrastructure planning
- Key NE rail projects: Jiribam-Imphal (completed December 2023, world's tallest railway bridge pier at 141 m), Bairabi-Sairang (2025), proposed Sabroom-Chittagong (Bangladesh) link
- Strategic significance: Rail connectivity in NE reduces dependence on the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor and enables rapid deployment of defence forces, movement of essential supplies, and economic integration
● Tracked since March 05, 2026 · last seen March 14, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief