NEW DELHI: The Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has invested ₹1.5 lakh crore over the past decade in boosting both physical and digital infrastructure across Northeast India as part of the "Act East Policy", Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani announced on Friday.
In his keynote address at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, Pemmasani stated, “Out of this total investment, ₹50,000 crore has been dedicated to flagship programs like BharatNet and the Digital North East Vision.” These initiatives have significantly improved digital connectivity in the region — with more than 90% of the Northeast now covered by 4G networks and 80% of rural households linked via optical fibre cable.
Pemmasani also highlighted the operational launch of modern IT parks in Guwahati, Shillong, and Agartala, which are now fostering local job creation and innovation. In a major infrastructure push, hyperscale data centers, including one of Asia’s largest, are planned for Assam.
Beyond infrastructure, the minister emphasized the government’s support for industry growth in the region. “Programs like Digital India, BharatNet, Startup India, the National AI Strategy, and 5G rollout are not just policy blueprints — they are launching pads for real change,” he said.
He further underlined the unique synergy between the Centre and the states, calling it a “hallmark of governance since 2014,” which is accelerating Northeast India’s transformation into a digital powerhouse.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G technology are already being deployed for practical applications in the region. In Andhra Pradesh, a 5G-powered telemedicine network is enabling real-time consultations, while in Tripura, the Bhashini initiative allows citizens to access government services in 22 languages through real-time AI translations.
Pemmasani added that AI can further digitize public services, including land records, while 5G connectivity can open access to global learning tools and virtual labs for students. He also envisioned immersive tourism, noting that locations like Kaziranga and Sikkim could soon offer AR-based virtual experiences to showcase their natural beauty.
On the private sector front, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani addressed the same summit, highlighting Jio’s role in the region’s digital growth. Ambani announced that Jio has already covered 90% of the population in Northeast India with 5G services and has over 5 million 5G subscribers in the region — a number expected to double this year.
“Jio’s priority is to bring the revolutionary power of AI to every school, hospital, enterprise, and home,” Ambani said. He added that Reliance has invested over ₹2.3 lakh crore in the region over the last four decades, and is set to invest an additional ₹75,000 crore in the next five years.