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The Wire
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Wire
Has Development in Northeast India Undermined Its Environmental Sustainability?
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Has Development in Northeast India Undermined Its Environmental Sustainability? Atribh Deka 20 minutes ago Urbanisation and infrastructure development policies seldom align with the natural lifecycles of rivers, forests and mountains. Commuters on a waterlogged road after heavy rainfall, in Guwahati. Photo: PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The Rising North East Investors Summit on May 23 sparked curiosity and optimism among entrepreneurs and investors in Northeast India as Prime Minister Modi unveiled a vision of seamless highways, cross-border bridges, and a Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor plant, positioning the region as India's new gateway to Southeast Asian markets. However, an event in Arunachal Pradesh contrasted with this celebratory occasion. On the same day, in Arunachal Pradesh's Siang district, villagers torched bridges and protested, vowing that they will die for their lands, as they opposed the proposed 12,000 megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which they see as a threat to the community groves and floodplains. In this context, the government's narrative of 'Northeast as India's new gateway to Southeast Asia' shows a hollowness when, just miles away from the announcement of the vision and development projects, the supposed beneficiaries are worried about the devastating prospect of a dam that could submerge their heritage and livelihoods. There is no doubt that over the last decade, urbanisation and hydropower initiatives have boosted NER's industrial economy. This economic boost has also brought an environmental burden through forest clearance, riverbank erosion and polluted air. This collision between industrialisation schemes and environmental degradation raises two important questions: Is economic development dependent on the sacrifice of living ecosystems? And whose progress is it that truly counts? Infrastructure expansion Since 2017, India's Northeast has undergone major infrastructural expansions. Most notable among them are the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' allocation of Rs 60,093 crore to construct 4,686 kms of new national highways under schemes like Bharatmala and the JICA-supported North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project, which will connect remote districts and establish new cross-border routes. The North East Gas Grid, a 1,670 km pipeline costing Rs 9,265 crore, is now 84% complete and will supply industrial and household gas to all eight states. In Assam, new industrial parks at Tezpur, Tinsukia, Silchar and Hajo are expected to attract manufacturing by providing ready-made facilities. A major highlight is the construction of over a dozen flyovers in Guwahati between 2017 and 2024, built to ease congestion. These recent infrastructure developments promise to rewire a region long marginalised within India's GDP, just 2.8% as per the 2023-24 stats. Financial targets include doubling Assam's US$69 billion Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by 2030, cutting the national logistics costs from 14% of GDP to a more competitive 8-9 percent, and positioning the Northeast as a land gateway for an India-ASEAN trade boom from US$125 billion to US$200 billion. Employment projections estimate the creation of 30,000 jobs at the semiconductor plant, and hundreds of thousands of ancillary roles, in plans to reduce the persistent challenge of youth out-migration from the region. However, delays in projects, rugged terrain and land-acquisition disputes expose a recurring 'execution deficit.' Cross-border corridors, like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway, may remain super sensitive to geopolitical volatility, while local skill shortages and environmental concerns further complicate implementation risks. Thus, policy promises of connectivity, industrial diversification, and improved livelihoods hinge less on headline investment figures than on robust governance and genuine capacity-building at the grassroots level. Environmental effects of development in northeast India The more concrete networks of roads, bridges, and pipelines are extended in the NER, the more environmental deficits are recorded. Between 2013 and 2023, for instance, the Northeast lost a staggering 3,132 sq. km of natural forest, an area larger than Mumbai, due to the expansion of roads, railways, and hydropower projects piercing through the once-unbroken forests. New highway corridors such as NH-715A (Bagrakote–Pakyong) in Sikkim and the four-laning of NH-27 (Nagaon–Holongi) in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have necessitated the diversion of forest land authorised under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The Dibang Multipurpose Project and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh threaten riparian habitats, which will affect the migration of avian species and disrupt ecological flows in the Siyom and Subansiri tributaries. Commercial plantations expose slightly different issues that don't encourage the continuance of indigenous sustainability-driven lifestyles and traditions. For instance, although Tripura's rubber monocultures and Meghalaya's eucalyptus concession programmes add to the 'tree cover' gains, they partly fail to replace native dipterocarp and bamboo forests. Policy interventions, like the mandatory Compensatory Afforestation under the 2002 Amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, have, in practice, fallen short of their stated objectives. The traditional jhum (shifting cultivation) systems, regulated by the Meghalaya Jhum Land Lease Policy (2011) and Manipur's Community Rights under the Forest Rights Act (2006), are dismissed as backward, even though extended resting cycles are scientifically proven to maintain soil fertility. India's climate policies, in this context, reflect a blind reliance on 'high-modernist' methods, assuming that a universal, technocratic formula for land governance applies across diverse ecologies. Such one-size-fits-all prescriptions not only undermine the indigenous and proven agricultural methods but also erode the socio-ecological practices of jhum plots, sacred groves, and shifting fields that have, for generations, sustained Northeast India's rich biodiversity. Guwahati presents a uniquely peculiar case In Guwahati, plans for a flyover along the GNB Road threatened to cut down century-old trees around the historic Dighalipukhuri in November 2024. In response, concerned protestors and journalists filed a PIL in the Gauhati high court. The Assam PWD then refiled an affidavit confirming that the flyover's ramps would be realigned to begin at Lamb Road and Rabindra Bhawan, sparing the Dighalipukhuri banks and the surrounding trees. The ongoing unprecedented flooding in Guwahati is further evidence of the environmental toll directly affecting citizens. The city recorded an alarming 111 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, breaking a 67-year-old record, which triggered deadly landslides that claimed at least five lives. Prolonged power cuts, which were a safety precaution, disrupted communication and paralysed daily lives, exposing urban vulnerabilities. The chronic waterlogging in Jorabat, 'partially influenced' by unregulated development upstream in Meghalaya, forced the two states' chief ministers Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma to meet for an urgent inter-state policy action. All this, ironically, undermines the grand vision of transforming Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, into a 'smart city,' where there's no proper drainage system that can respond to runoff from the surrounding hills. Prospects for sustainable development Despite climate policy interventions, the National Mission for a Green India, and the Forest Rights Act's community protections, these frameworks have been systematically outpaced by the region's push for roads, dams and industrial corridors. Environmental impact assessments are often fast-tracked or skipped when flagship ventures, like the North East Gas Grid or the semiconductor hub, loom large in New Delhi's development narrative. As Arunachal villagers now blockade the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and floods affect thousands, the gap between the vision for development and sustainable survival could not be more evident. Urbanisation and infrastructure development policies seldom align with the natural lifecycles of rivers, forests and mountains. Perhaps true progress will come when NER's next chapters are built not only in concrete, but also in the living, breathing landscapes that have sustained this region for centuries. Atribh Deka is a graduate in Political Science (Honours) from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and is currently pursuing his Master's of Arts in Media Governance. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Northeast India Floods: Over 30 Dead, IMD Issues Alert When Wealth Rules, Cities Drown An Open Letter: 'I Have Small Eyes, Mr Prime Minister' Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai, Administration Issues Red Alert, Urges Citizens to Stay Indoors Bengaluru Rains Have Returned the Garbage We Carelessly Dumped Mumbai Floods: Aaditya Thackeray, Varsha Gaikwad Slam BJP-BMC Over Civic Collapse As India and Canada's Foreign Ministers Speak Over Phone, Signs of a Further Thaw in Ties Listen: India's Reaction to Turkey is Understandable, But We Should Not Give Up on Diplomacy with it G20 Is Too Elite. There's a Way To Fix That Though – Economists View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
India.com
28-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Gautam Adani in race to buy Rs 50000000000 company, may change game for group, deal will strengthen its…
Diamond Power Infrastructure Limited (DPIL) is a power sector company which manufactures cables, conductors, transmission towers, and power distribution systems. According to The Economic Times , DPIL promoters are in discussions with three potential buyers including the Adani Group. If the deal becomes successful it will strengthen Adani's supply chain and vendor system as it plans to increase its capital expenditure (capex) in the coming years. DPIL deals in building and installing power transmission lines and has also expertise in cables, conductors, and related infrastructure. In 2022, the company was acquired through NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) by GSEC Limited and Rakesh Shah. DPIL is currently listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with a market valuation of around Rs 5,000 crore. As per SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) regulations, promoters of a listed company cannot hold more than 75% of the shares. DPIL's promoters hold a 90% stake, reduced from earlier 94.88% in March 2024. To adhere to SEBI norms, they need to dilute their shareholding. Discussions are ongoing with potential buyers like with the Adani Group, and the deal can be finalized within the next 60 days. If the Adani Group acquires the stake, it may retain the existing management. In previous acquisitions like the 2023 purchase of a 30% stake in PSP Projects Limited it applied the same strategy. DPIL wants to achieve a revenue target of Rs 10,000 crore over the next three years but its FY2024-25 revenue was only Rs 343 crore. This expansion needs major capital infusion. Adani Group Investment In North-East Billionaire Gautam Adani on Friday committed to investing an additional Rs 50,000 crore over the next 10 years in green energy, road construction and creating digital infrastructure in the North Eastern states as his conglomerate looks to expand its presence in the east. This investment is on top of Rs 50,000 crore that his group had committed to investing in Assam in February. Speaking at the Rising NorthEast Investors Summit here, the head of ports-to-energy conglomerate said his group's initiative will prioritise local jobs, local entrepreneurship and community engagement. 'Three months ago, in Assam, we pledged an investment of Rs 50,000 crore. Today, once again, humbled and inspired by your leadership, I announce that the Adani Group will invest an additional Rs 50,000 crore across the Northeast over the next 10 years,' he said in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (With Inputs From PTI)
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 emphasises healthcare development
New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): Union Minister Anupriya Patel on Saturday highlighted the significance of the North East region in India's growth story, particularly under the Act East policy, at the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 in Delhi. Anupriya Patel stressed the importance of healthcare in the North East region, encouraging private sector participation to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare. 'The north-east part of our country is one of the priorities of our government and a very important pillar of India's Act East policy. Taking this notion forward, the Rising North East Investor Summit 2025 has been organised. Under this, healthcare is an important segment... The private sector can play a crucial role in the advancement of healthcare in the entire North East region. The central government has collaborated with the state governments to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare. We have made every effort to reach out to the people in the North East region. The private sector, which exists, can supplement the government's efforts,' said Patel. The summit aims to attract investments across eight North Eastern states, focusing on sectors like infrastructure, tourism, agro-food processing, IT, energy, textiles, education and semiconductors On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, expressing strong confidence in the Northeast region's potential and reaffirming the government's commitment to its continued growth and prosperity. According to the official release, PM Modi, while welcoming dignitaries, industry leaders, and investors, commended the collaborative efforts of various ministries and state governments in creating a business-friendly environment. He highlighted the Northeast's vital role in achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), saying, 'For us, EAST is not just a direction but a vision--Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform.' The Prime Minister underscored the over 700 visits made by Union Ministers to the Northeast, demonstrating their commitment to understanding the land, witnessing people's aspirations, and translating that trust into development policies. The Rising North East Investors Summit, a two-day event from May 23-24, is the culmination of various pre-summit activities, such as a series of roadshows, and states' roundtables, including the Ambassador's Meet and Bilateral Chambers Meet, organised by the central government with active support from the state governments of the North Eastern Region. The Summit includes ministerial sessions, Business-to-Government sessions, Business-to-Business meetings, startups and exhibitions of policy and related initiatives taken by State Government and Central ministries for investment promotion. The main focus sectors of investment promotion include Tourism and Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing and allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom, and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; Information Technology or Information Technology Enabled Services; Infrastructure and Logistics; Energy; and Entertainment and Sports. (ANI)
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Adani Group doubles capex commitment to `1 trn in NE region
New Delhi: Billionaire Gautam Adani on Friday committed to investing an additional Rs50,000 crore over the next 10 years in green energy, road construction and creating digital infrastructure in the North Eastern states as his conglomerate looks to expand its presence in the east. This investment is on top of Rs50,000 crore that his group had committed to investing in Assam in February. Speaking at the Rising NorthEast Investors Summit here, the head of ports-to-energy conglomerate said his group's initiative will prioritise local jobs, local entrepreneurship and community engagement. 'Three months ago, in Assam, we pledged an investment of Rs50,000 crore. Today, once again, humbled and inspired by your leadership, I announce that the Adani Group will invest an additional Rs50,000 crore across the Northeast over the next 10 years,' he said in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The investments will span green energy, including smart-meters, hydro, pumped storage, power transmission, roads & highways, digital infrastructure, logistics, as well as capacity-building through skilling and vocational training centres. 'But more than infrastructure, we will invest in people. Every initiative will prioritise local jobs, local entrepreneurship, and community engagement. This is what Viksit Bharat 2047 is all about,' he said. Adani said over the past decade, in the hills and valleys of the Northeast, a new chapter in India's growth story is unfolding. 'A story rooted in diversity, resilience, and untapped potential,' he said. 'This region is now a source of our cultural pride, economic promise, and strategic direction.' And behind this rise is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recognised no borders, only beginnings, he said. 'When you said, 'Act East, Act Fast, Act First, ' you gave the Northeast its wake-up call.' This has been reflected in 65 personal visits by the Prime Minister, Rs6.2 lakh crore of investment since 2014, doubling the road network to 16,000 kms and doubling the number of airports to 18. 'This is not just policy. It is your hallmark of big thinking. It is the hallmark of your belief system. It is the hallmark of your conviction in Sabka Saath - Sabka Vikas!,' he said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Watch: PM Modi on Northeast India, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah issuing another apology and more
Here are the top headlines of the day. PM Modi inaugurates 'Rising North East Investors Summit', says diversity biggest strength of the region Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the India's Northeastern region is witnessing unprecedented progress and the government is determined to accelerate its growth story. Modi, while addressing the 'Rising North East Investors Summit' in Delhi, said for his government, EAST means - 'Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform'. He said that 'there was a time when Northeast was only called frontier, now it is frontrunner of growth.' He said diversity of the Northeast is its biggest strength, and every State in the region is declaring its readiness for investment and leadership. PM Modi inaugurated the two-day event which is being attended by chief ministers of the region, union ministers, bureaucrats, diplomats among others. Top industry leaders Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Anil Agarwal among others attended the inaugural session. Herald case: ED names Congress leaders who 'sought donations' for Young Indian, AJL Some Congress leaders were among individuals who donated funds to the Young Indian and AJL on instructions from senior party functionaries, as not doing so would have been 'damaging' for their political careers and businesses, the ED is learnt to have said in its chargesheet filed in the National Herald case, according to PTI. The chargesheet was filed on April 9 before a local court which is yet to take its cognisance. PTI quoted sources who said that the ED, in its investigation, found that some entities made payments to the company 'under the influence' from senior leaders of the Congress party who promised them 'certain favours' in party politics. Those named in the chargesheet for seeking donations for Young Indian include Telangana CM and former PCC president Revanth Reddy, late Ahmed Patel and Pawan Bansal. However, none of these leaders have been named as accused in the chargesheet. The ED has named former Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi as accused no. 1 and Rahul Gandhi (54) as accused no. 2, apart from five others in the prosecution complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 'My linguistic mistake': Vijay Shah apologises again for remarks on Col. Sofiya Qureshi Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah has issued a new public apology and termed his remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi a 'linguistic mistake'. He landed in trouble after making controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who conducted regular media briefings regarding Operation Sindoor. In a post on X, he said that he was saddened and disturbed by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. He said, 'I have always had immense love for my nation and respect for the Indian Army. The words spoken by me have hurt the community, religion and countrymen, it was my linguistic mistake.' 'My intention was not to hurt or offend any religion, caste or community. I sincerely apologise to the entire Indian Army, Sister Colonel Sofiya and all the countrymen for the words I said inadvertently and once again with folded hands, I apologise.' This apology comes after a three-member SIT was formed on the Supreme Court's directions to probe an FIR filed against him on the orders of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The SIT is expected to submit its findings to the Supreme Court during the next hearing on May 28. Operation Sindoor showed terror in India fully sponsored by Pakistan: Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Operation Sindoor has exposed the fact that terrorism in India is fully Pakistan sponsored. Delivering the Rustamji Memorial Lecture organised by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the occasion of its 22nd investiture ceremony, he said that the border guarding force has proved its mettle during Operation Sindoor. He said the Indian armed forces first hit the terror bases in Pakistan but it was the Pakistan Army that responded by trying to attack India. He said, 'We targeted the terrorists, but Pakistan took it on itself and proved that it was Pakistan sponsored terrorism.' 'They dared to target our civilians but couldn't succeed in front of our air defence system. In response to which, we targeted their air base and introduced our striking capability to them.' India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. RBI to pay govt record dividend of ₹2.69 lakh crore for FY25 The Reserve Bank of India has approved the transfer of over ₹ 2 lakh crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2024-25. The decision was made in the 616th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India. In a statement, the RBI said, 'Based on the revised ECF, and taking into consideration the macroeconomic assessment, the Central Board decided to further increase the CRB to 7.50%. The Board thereafter approved the transfer of ₹2,68,590.07 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2024-25'. 'The Board reviewed the global and domestic economic scenario, including risks to the outlook. The Board also discussed the working of the Reserve Bank during the year April 2024 – March 2025 and approved the Reserve Bank's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year 2024-25,' the RBI said. IndiGo flight turbulence: India and Pakistan rejected pilot's request to use Pak airspace The DGCA has said that the pilots of an IndiGo flight that was caught in a hailstorm earlier this week were denied deviation to escape bad weather by both the Indian Air Force and Lahore's Air Traffic Control tower. IndiGo's Delhi to Srinagar flight was caught in bad weather on Wednesday evening. Though passengers and crew escaped without injuries, the aircraft's nose cone was damaged, leading to its grounding for inspection and maintenance. The DGCA said the flight entered a hailstorm and severe turbulence near Pathankot. Before that, the Indian Air Force rejected the pilot's request for deviation towards the international border to circumvent bad weather, and later Lahore's ATC also turned down their plea. In a statement on Thursday, IndiGo said its flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar on May 21, 2025, navigated a sudden hailstorm and landed safely at Srinagar International Airport. Among the 222 passengers onboard were also five Trinamool Congress MPs. Videos of the moments of turbulence emerged on social media, showing panicked passengers praying for their lives as the plane swayed. Iran and US hold a fifth round of nuclear negotiations in Rome with enrichment a key issue Iranian and US negotiators met in Rome for a fifth round of nuclear talks, after a public disagreement over Tehran's uranium enrichment. The talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the countries since the US quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during President Donald Trump's first term. Since returning to office, Trump has revived his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails. Iran wants a new deal that would ease sanctions which have battered its economy. The fourth round of talks, in the Omani capital Muscat, ended with a public spat over enrichment. U.S. officials insist Iran cannot continue to enrich uranium in any deal that could see sanctions lifted on Tehran's struggling economy. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that no enrichment would mean 'we do NOT have a deal.
