In a significant stride towards regional progress, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has declared the extension of the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) on August 21, 2023. A sanctioned budget of Rs. 8139.50 crore has been earmarked for the tenure spanning from 2022-2023 to 2025-2026. The central objective of NESIDS is to invigorate infrastructure expansion, especially in the domains of connectivity and social welfare, within the North Eastern States.
The Cabinet-endorsed NESIDS program encompasses two primary components:
- Strengthening Connectivity: This component centers on elevating road infrastructure across the North Eastern States, consolidating the erstwhile North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS). The entire financial burden for this facet is assumed by the central government, with the primary aim of enhancing regional accessibility and connectivity.
- Holistic Infrastructure Enhancement: Beyond road development, this segment encompasses a spectrum of projects ranging from water supply, power, and connectivity to tourism, education, and healthcare. Similar to NESIDS-Road, this section is also funded entirely by the central government. Its goal is to bridge gaps across multiple sectors, thus contributing comprehensively to the region’s holistic advancement.
The core objectives of these schemes are delineated as follows:
- These initiatives act in synergy with diverse Central Ministries and Departments, strategically filling gaps in developmental and welfare endeavors not covered by existing programs.
- The schemes are tailored to cater to the distinct requirements of the North Eastern States, empowering them to initiate projects aligned with their specific needs. These projects aim to rectify connectivity and social sector discrepancies while concurrently boosting livelihoods and employment prospects.
The recent introduction of updated guidelines has established a framework for the systematic implementation of the restructured NESIDS and ‘Schemes of NEC.’ These guidelines have been meticulously crafted through extensive stakeholder consultations and internal deliberations. They ensure a transparent and expedited realization of the envisioned objectives.
Furthermore, the ‘Schemes of NEC’ have been granted approval for continuation from 2022-2023 to 2025-2026, supported by a cumulative budget of Rs. 3202.7 crore. These schemes, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), are thoughtfully designed to address the diverse developmental and welfare requisites of the North Eastern States.