News Brief
Centre Ramps Up Highway Funding In Northeast, Arunachal Bags Major Share
Prime Minister Modi wearing a hornbill cap during a campaign in Arunachal Pradesh (Representative Image)
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has significantly increased its allocation for National Highway development projects in the northeastern states, The Sentinel reported.
The total outlay has been raised to Rs 1,600 crore for the financial year 2025–26. This marks a substantial jump from the previous allocation of Rs 1,060 crore.
An additional Rs 540 crore is now available for infrastructure development in the region.
Among the northeastern states, the strategically important Arunachal Pradesh has received the highest allocation of Rs 1,300 crore.
Arunachal Pradesh, the largest northeastern state by area, shares international borders with China (1,080 km), Myanmar (440 km), and Bhutan (160 km).
China, which illegaly claims Arunachal Pradesh, has repeatedly issued maps renaming locations within India's integral state.
The allocation is funded through Gross Budgetary Support (GBS), ensuring direct government backing for these critical infrastructure initiatives.
According to an official communication issued on 2 June 2025, the increased funds will be utilised for ongoing and sanctioned National Highway works across six northeastern states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, and Tripura.
These projects are being executed through state Public Works Departments (PWDs), MoRTH Project Implementation Units (PIUs), and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
MoRTH has directed that funds be used strictly for sanctioned National Highway works, with no claims allowed beyond approved project limits.
