Shillong, Jun 15: The inaugural North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 began at New Shillong here today, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and representatives from all eight North East states to discuss the future of infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
Organised by the Meghalaya government in partnership with the Federation of Industry and Commerce of North East Region (FINER) and the Build India Foundation, the summit is being touted as the first dedicated platform focused exclusively on infrastructure development and investment opportunities in the North East.
The event witnessed the participation of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju and other senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to strengthening connectivity in the North East, stating that road infrastructure in the region would be developed to match that of India’s most advanced states. He said quality infrastructure must directly improve the lives of people and highlighted the role of visionary leadership in transforming challenges into opportunities.
The Union minister also announced a series of major highway projects for Meghalaya worth nearly Rs 39,800 crore. Among them is the proposed 165km four-lane Shillong-Silchar Greenfield Corridor, estimated at Rs 23,000 crore. Another key project is the Rs 8,500 crore Jorabat-Barapani four-lane corridor that aims to cut travel time between Guwahati and Shillong to around one hour.
Other projects include the improvement of the Darugiri-Baghmara-Dalu stretch of National Highway 217, the Shillong-Dawki corridor expansion, bypasses at Tura and Pynursla and works linked to the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge. Officials said these projects are expected to boost tourism, strengthen cross-border trade, improve connectivity to remote areas and generate employment opportunities across the state.
Speaking at the summit, Sangma said the North East has entered a period of peace and stability after decades of challenges, creating favourable conditions for economic growth. He highlighted Meghalaya’s economic progress, noting that the state has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the country over the past five years.
The CM said the objective of the summit is to bring together governments, businesses and investors to identify opportunities and accelerate development across the region. He expressed hope that the platform would pave the way for long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio described the North East as a region undergoing rapid transformation under the Act East Policy and stressed the importance of collaborative initiatives that connect governments, investors and industry stakeholders.
During the inaugural session, dignitaries also released a ‘Vision Report’ and a set of knowledge papers prepared by a committee led by Atul Kulkarni of IIM Shillong.
DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju said the region is steadily emerging as a strategic growth hub and a gateway to Southeast Asia, driven by investments in resilient infrastructure. Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed underscored the need to leverage opportunities in infrastructure, digital technology and biotechnology to unlock the region’s economic potential.
Officials further highlighted Meghalaya’s infrastructure push over the past eight years, including major investments in highways, roads and bridges, which they said have laid the foundation for stronger regional connectivity and economic growth.
The two-day summit will continue tomorrow with discussions on infrastructure financing, logistics, urban development, energy, digital connectivity and investment opportunities across the North East.
