GUWAHATI: The North East India Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 began at the Lariti Complex in New Shillong on Monday, June 15, bringing together Union and Northeast state leadership to discuss infrastructure development and investment across the region.
ALSO READ: Kamrup (M) Schools Directed to Comply With Class-Wise School Bag Weight Limits
The summit, which has drawn over 1,500 delegates and participation from all eight Northeastern states along with eight Union ministries, is being positioned as a dedicated platform for infrastructure and investment in the region. It includes sectoral discussions, CEO roundtables, and an exhibition featuring over 60 participants.
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and Union DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju attended the inaugural session.
The central focus of the summit remained large-scale infrastructure expansion in Meghalaya, particularly National Highway projects worth around ₹39,800 crore covering about 450 km.
Key projects highlighted include the Shillong–Silchar four-lane greenfield corridor (165 km, ₹23,000 crore), expected to cut travel time by nearly 50%, and the Jorabat–Barapani corridor (66 km, ₹8,500 crore), which is projected to reduce Guwahati–Shillong travel time from 2.5 hours to about one hour.
Other projects include upgrades along the Darugiri–Baghmara–Dalu stretch of NH-217 (136 km, ₹4,000 crore), Shillong–Dawki corridor works, Tura–Dalu road improvement, bypass projects in Tura and Pynursla, and works linked to NH-127B and the Dhubri–Phulbari bridge.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Centre aims to bring Northeast road infrastructure “equivalent to the progressive, prosperous, and developed states of India.”
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said Meghalaya has seen strong economic growth and increased infrastructure investment, adding that the summit aims to convert development challenges into opportunities.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the Northeast is entering a transformation phase under the Act East Policy and stressed the need for regional cooperation to realise development goals.
Officials also released a knowledge paper and vision report during the inaugural session, outlining the region’s long-term infrastructure strategy.