Connectivity projects in North East Region

• Centre-led push to integrate the eight North Eastern States via road, rail, air, waterways and digital networks, anchored by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (MDoNER) and sectoral ministries.
• Strategic salience: the region borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and is linked to mainland India by the Siliguri "Chicken's Neck" corridor, making connectivity a security + Act East lever.
• UPSC relevance: cross-cuts GS-I (regional geography), GS-II (centre-state, Act East), GS-III (infrastructure, internal security).