2
NORTH EAST- REGIONAL OVERVIEW
This chapter presents a regional overview of North East India, including the 8 States of Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
is study of the current status of various existing facilities, services and infrastructure in the all
the states of north east. This chapter presents the regional analysis in terms of accessibility,
physical infrastructure, status of various facilities and services etc.
2.1 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
North East India, popularly known as North East (NE), comprises of the eight States of Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim and
geographically situated in the North East corner of India, at Latitude 21.57°N - 29.30°N and
Longitude 88°E - 97.30°E with an area of 25.5 million Sq. Km. It comprises 7.8% of the land area
of the country. NE shares the international boundaries of India with China to the North,
Bangladesh to the South West, Bhutan and Nepal to the North West and Myanmar to the East.
This region is connected with the rest of India only through a narrow corridor in North Bengal,
known as Chicken Neck, having an approximate width of 33 km on the eastern side and 21 km
on the western side.
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About 70% of North East is hilly region, and the topography varies within each state. Mountains
and hills cover most of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and about half of
Tripura, 20% of Assam, 90% of Manipur and almost entire Sikkim. The plains of the region are
mainly made up of separate landmasses - the Brahmaputra Valley and the Barak Valley in Assam
and the Tripura plains in the South. In Manipur, the valley is small, comprising only about 10% of
the total area of the State. The Brahmaputra Valley stretches longitudinally for about 730 km,
from North Lakhimpur to Dhubri districts in Assam. The Barak Valley, formed by the river Barak
and its tributaries covers the districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi of South Assam. The
Tripura plain is an extension of the Ganga-Brahmaputra plain. The topography of the hills is
generally rugged and vast areas are inaccessible. The flora and fauna of this region is numerous
and varied. NE is regarded as one of the 7 most bio-diverse regions of the world (hottest
hotspots) (Myers, 2000). Hill ranges forming part of the Himalayas guard the northern side of the
region. The area is made up of mountains above the snow line and plains just a little higher than
sea level. Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram, have the highest rainfall in the world, are located in
NE. Many endangered species of fauna like the one-horned-Asiatic rhino, whitewinged- wood
duck, and Golden Langur can be spotted in the reserved forests and National Parks of NE. NE
possesses more than 550 varieties of orchids, which is said to be almost 70% of the total orchid
species identified so far.
2.2 ACCESSIBILITY
Barring Assam the only proper connecting medium is via roadways. Recently the airline service
has also developed its wings to improve the connectivity of the states with the rest of the
country. The connectivity through waterways is done only in Assam as also by railways. The state
of the other states in these two connecting mediums is very poor.
A. AIR CONNECTIVITY
The flying condition of this hilly sector of the North East States is very difficult due to high and
low mountain ranges which are covered by mists and low clouds. Due to this reason, some states
are connected by the flight services during the winter season only. Further, some locations are
connected during the monsoon season only. Over view of the states in terms of air connectivity
is given below:
Arunachal Pradesh: In view of surface communication bottle-neck in the state, the Government
of Arunachal Pradesh created Arunachal Helicopter Service to facilitate movement of public,
Government officials and tourists from one place to the other and to the District Headquarters/state capital. The 9 seater Helicopter Service (Dauphin helicopter of Pawan Hans
helicopters Ltd., a Govt.of India Enterprises) has been operating successfully since December
1995. This scheme was introduced under 15% subsidy from Ministry of Home Affairs,
Government of India. Initially the helicopter service was operated on Naharlagun - Guwahati and
Naharlagun -Mohanbari sector. Gradually it has been extended to some District Headquarters
and some important location of the state. Daporijo, Pasighat, Tezu and Ziro are air linked by the
Vayudoot service. The location Tezpur has been recently included in the schedule.
Assam: The state is well connected with the rest of the country through Air Transport. The State
has the highest number of civil airports and these are:
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Table No 2.1 Airports in Assam
AIRPORTS
LOCATION
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International
Guwahati
Salonibari
Tezpur
Rowriah
Jorhat
Mohanbari
Dibrugarh
Lilabari
Lakhimpur
Kumbhiragram
Silchar
Source: http://databank.nedfi.com
Guwahati, the capital of Assam is very well connected to other part of India. Indian
Airlines/Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Air Sahara and Air Deccan have regular flight for Guwahati from
metro cities like Delhi, Kolkatta, and Mumbai etc. Guwahati well linked with the national capital,
New Delhi the Lilabari Airport in Lakhimpur District was renovated to facilitate air traffic
movement of nearby District of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Besides, the Indian Airlines there
are several other private commercial airlines services such as Sahara. Jet Airways etc. have been
operating services to and from Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and some other places of North Eastern
Region of the country during the last couple of years.
Manipur: In the state Imphal airport is the only airport, which is linked with other stations in the
region by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Alliance Air. The Indian Airlines flights connect Imphal
with Guwahati and New Delhi, while Jet Airways Flights connect Imphal with Guwahati and
Kolkata. Alliance Air connects Imphal with Aizawal, Silchar, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Meghalaya: Umroi, is the only airport of Meghalaya and it is located 35 km away from the state
capital Shillong.
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Mizoram: Aizawl the capital city of Mizoram is connected by air services. A full-fledged Air-Field
at Lunglei has started functioning from December 1998. Aizawl is connected to Kolkata, (1 hr)
Imphal (30 min) and Guwahti. Indian Airlines (Alliance Air) flights Kolkata - Aizawl - Kolkata ( daily
service ) and Kolkata - Aizawl - Imphal - Aizawl - Kolkata (Monday, Wednesday, Friday ),
Guwahati - Aizawl (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) runs from Aizawl.
Tripura: The main Airport of Tripura state is at Agartala. There are airports at Kailashahar,
Kamalpur and Khowai though they are not functioning at present. Agartala, the capital city is the
air link with Calcutta, Delhi and Guwahati.
B. RAILWAYS CONNECTIVITY
The rail connectivity in the north-east falls under the North-East Frontier Railway.
Table No 2.2 The track length in various states of the N.F. Railways
S.No.
State
1 Arunachal Pradesh
Broad Guage (Km)
Meter Guage (Km)
Total (Km)
Nil
1.26
1.26
902.94
1470.58
2373.52
3 Manipur
Nil
1.35
1.35
4 Meghalaya
Nil
Nil
Nil
5 Mizoram
Nil
1.5
1.5
6 Nagaland
7.63
5.22
12.85
7 Sikkim
Nil
Nil
Nil
8 Tripura
Nil
Nil
Nil
2 Assam
Source: N. F. Railway, CME Office, Guwahati-781 011
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C. ROAD CONNECTIVITY
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The road connectivity in all the north east states is fairly well placed. The section below
illustrates the road connectivity in the all the states:
List of State-wise National Highways in the Country:
Table No 2.3 List of State-wise National Highways in the Country
S. No.
Highway Total
Name of National
Total Length (in km)
1
Arunachal Pradesh
52, 52A & 153
392
2
Assam
31, 31B, 31C, 36, 37, 37A, 38, 39, 44, 51,
52, 52A, 52B, 53, 54, 61, 62,151,152, 153
& 154
2836
3
Manipur
39, 53, 150 & 155
959
4
Meghalaya
40, 44, 51 & 62
810
5
Mizoram
44A, 54, 54A, 54B, 150 & 154
927
6
Nagaland
36, 39, 61, 150 & 155
494
7
Sikkim
31A
62
8
Tripura
44 & 44A
400
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh has 330 km of national highway. The important stops of
pitfalls in each of the districts of the state are shown below.
The length of the different types of roads (in Kms) in Arunachal Pradesh is found in the state are
given below:
Table No 2.4
Length of different types of roads
NH
Black
Topped
Roads
Water
bound
macadam
roads
Graveled
roads
Unsurfaced
roads
Station
Colony
Total
length of
Roads
Road
length
per 100
sq. Km.
84.39
4661.9
1640.66
2250.52
5107.46
588.84
14333.78
17.12
Source: Statistical Abstract of Arunachal Pradesh
The state also boasts of several highways that help in efficient transfer of goods and people from
one region to another.
Table No 2.5 Description of major highways - Arunachal Pradesh
Highway
Major route
District served
Town touched
NH-52A
Bandardewa, Chandannagar
Papumpare
Itanagar
NH-52
Ruksin, Passighat
East Siang
Pasighat
NH-52
Pasighat, Roing, Tezu
East Siang
Pasighat
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NH-52
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Doomdooma, Tezu, Namsai, Chowkham
East Siang
Pasighat
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
Assam: The total length of roads in Assam state is 34,000 km which includes 2,038 km of
National Highways. The construction of 160 km of barbed wire fencing and 27 km of the border
road along the Indo-Bangladesh International has been completed. The total length of roads in
the State was 34,000 km which includes 2,038 km of National Highways. The construction of 160
km of barbed wire fencing and 27 km of the border road along the Indo-Bangladesh
International has been completed.
Table No 2.6 Description of Roadways in Assam
Surfaced
6639
Not
surfaced
Black
topped
28073
Major
district
road
6447
Urban
Road
24505
District
wise road
length
Road
length per
lakh
of
population
Road length
per '00 Sq.Km
of Geographical
Area
34712
130
23.2
1193
Source: NER Databank, NEDFI
The description of some of the major highways in the state is given below:
Table No 2.7 Description of major highways in Assam
Highway
Major route
District served
NH-31
Boxirhut, Jalukbari
Dhubri,
Bongaigaon,
Nalbari, Kamrup
NH-31(B)
North
Jogighopa
Bongaigaon
Jogighopa
NH-31( C)
Srirampur, Rakhaldubi
Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon
Srirampur, Chapaguri
NH-36
Nowgaon, Dimapur
Nagaon, Karbi-Anglong
Nowgaon
NH-37(A)
Kuoritol,
Chariali
Nowgaon, Sonitpur
Tezpur
NH-37
Pancharatna, Saikhowa
Goalpara,
Morigaon,
Golaghat,
Sibsagar,
Tinsukia
NH-38
Makum, Lekhapani
Tinsukia
Makum, Digboi, Ledo
NH-39
Numaligarh, Dimapur
Golaghat, Karbi-Anglong
Numaligarh, Bokajan
NH-44
Ratacherra, Churaibari
Cachar, Karimganj
Badarpur, Karimganj
NH-51
Paikan, Bazengdoba
Goalpara
Dudhnoi
NH-52
Dirok, Rupai
Tinsukia,
Sonitpur
Salmara,
Mission
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Town touched
Kokrajhar,
Barpeta,
Kamrup,
Nagaon,
Jorhat,
Dibrugarh,
Darrang,
Nalbari, Rangia, Barpeta
Road
Goalpara,
Guwahati,
Jagiroad,
Nagaon,
Jakhalabandha, Bokakhat,
Dergaon, Jorhat, Sibsagar,
Dibrugarh, Tinsukia
Mangaldai,
Tezpur,
Bishwanath Chariali
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NH-52
Baihata
Chariali,Passighat
Tinsukia,
Sonitpur
Darrang,
Mangaldai,
Tezpur,
Bishwanath Chariali
NH-53
Badarpur, Jirighat
Cachar
Badarpur, Silchar
NH-54
Silchar, Bairangty
Cachar
Silchar
Source: Office of the Chief Engineer (P.W.D.), Chandmari, Guwahati, Assam
Manipur: Imphal, the capital of Manipur is joined by road (NH-39) with Nagaland on the north,
and Myanmar on the east, Assam on the west by NH-53, and Mizoram on the south by NH-150.
The State has 7,599 km of roads, both metalled and unmetalled. The length of roads consists of
National Highway 967 km, State Highway 675 km, District roads 1,977 km and Village roads
4,947 km.
Manipur has some major highways in the state. Description of some of them is given below:
Table No 2.8 Description of major highways in Manipur
Highway
Major route
District served
Town touched
NH-53
Imphal, Silchar
Imphal, Tamenglong
Jiribam, Imphal, Nungba
NH-39
Mao-Moreh
Senapati,
Imphal,
Thoubal, Chandel
Mao, Tadubu, Karoup, Kangpokpi, Imphal,
Thoubal,
Pallel,
Moreh,
Tengnoupal
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
Meghalaya: Six national highways pass through Meghalaya. The State has 7,860.16 km of both
surfaced and unsurfaced roads under PWD. Total road length in the state is 5,982.25 km (BRO &
State PWD). In order to have a better connectivity, the Government has undertaken the
Mizoram State Roads Projects with a total cost of Rs 350 crore under funds provided by the
World Bank. Connectivity under PMGSY covering a total length of 2,421 km connecting 384
villages of Mizoram is making steady progress.
The descriptions of the major national highways running through the state are given below:
Table No 2.9 Description of Major Highways in Meghalaya
Highway
Major route
District served
Town touched
NH-53
Imphal, Silchar
Imphal, Tamenglong
Jiribam, Imphal, Nungba
NH-39
Mao-Moreh
Senapati,
Imphal,
Thoubal, Chandel
Mao, Tadubu, Karoup, Kangpokpi, Imphal,
Thoubal, Pallel, Moreh, Tengnoupal
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
Nagaland: The total length of roads in Nagaland is 9,860 km, which includes national highways,
state highways, district roads and village roads. More than 900 villages in the State are linked by
roads.
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The major national highways running through the state are given below:
Table No 2.10
Description of Major Highways in Nagaland
Highway
Major route
District served
Town touched
NH-61
Kohima,
Wokha,
Mokokchung, Amguri
Kohima,
Wokha,
Zunheboto, Mokokchung
Kohima, Tseminyu, Wokha,
Mokokchung, Changtongya, Tuli
NH-39
Dimapur, Imphal Road
Dimapur, Kohima
Dimapur,
Chiimukedima,
Medziphema, Kohima
NH-39
Army Byepass near Zulza
Dimapur, Kohima
Dimapur,
Chiimukedima,
Medziphema, Kohima
NH-36
Dimapur,
Diphu
(Assam border)
Dimapur
Dimapur
Road
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
Tripura: The total length of roads in Tripura is 15,227 km, of which major district roads
constitute 454 km and other district roads are 1,538 km. The total length of the national
highways in the state is 333km. The list of the major highways is given below:
Table No 2.11
Description of Major Highways in Tripura
Highway
Major route
District served
Town touched
NH-44
Churaibari, Agartala
West Tripura, Dhalai
Kumarghat, Manu, Ambassa, Teliamura,
Agartala
NH-44
Agartala, Sabroom
West Tripura, Dhalai
Kumarghat, Manu, Ambassa, Teliamura,
Agartala
Source: Chief Engineer, P.W.D., Agartala, Tripura
D. WATER CONNECTIVITY
As the entire north eastern India is bounded on all sides by different lands so the connectivity
through water is very limited. The water connectivity is only concentrated in the river
Brahmaputra and its tributaries. So the major chunk of waterways is concentrated in the state of
Assam. The table below shows the description of the various rivers/tributaries in the
Brahmaputra basin and the navigability period in them.
Table No 2.12
River/
Major Navigable Waterways in Brahmaputra Basin of India
From
To
Dis.
(KM)
Period
Navigability
Tributaries
of
Type of Craft
Plying
Bahmaputra
Dibrugarh
Dhubri
724
Throughout the year
Steamers
&
large boats
Gangadhar
Confluence
with Brahmaputra
Jamduar
113
Throughout the year
Country boats
Sankosh
Confluence
with Brahmaputra
Bhauraguri
48
Throughout the year
Country boats
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Manas
Confluence
with Brahmaputra
Rly. Line
48
Throughout the year
Country boats
Beki
Confluence
with Manas
Sorbhog
56
Throughout the year
Country boats
Aie
Confluence
Manas
with
Nepaltargaon
64
During monsoon
Country boats
Nakhanda
Confluence
Beki
with
N.T.Road
42
During monsoon
Country boats
Pahumara
Confluence
Nakhanda
with
Kathari
Ghat
40
During monsoon
Country boats
Pagladia
Lawpara
Kehura
40
Throughout the year
Country boats
Beralia
Confluence
Pagladia
Rangiya
24
During monsoon
Country boats
Puthimari
Ghandibari
Barsolonimukh
64
Throughout the year
Country boats
Barnadi
Kajaligaon
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
32
During rainy season
Country boats
Dhansiri
Rowta R.S.
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
48
During rainy season
Country boats
Gabru
Kisamari
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
56
During rainy season
Country boats
Bhorali
Buragaon Bagicha
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
64
Throughout the year
Country boats
Ghilladari
Gariakhana
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
32
During rainy season
Country boats
Dikrong
Harmati
Barduttighat
45
Throughout the year
Country boats
Ranganadi
Ampora
Khaboli
45
Throughout the year
Country boats
Subansiri
Chauldhowa Ghat
Subansirimukh
143
Throughout the year
Country boats
Jiadhol
Bardoloni
Silamukh
80
During rainy season
Country boats
Jinjiram
Phulbari
Border
Bangladesh
40
Throughout theyear
Country boats
Dudnai
Damra
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
40
During rainy season
Country boats
with
Muri
of
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Krishnal
Rangramgiri
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
97
During rainy season
Country boats
Boko river
Boko
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
48
During rainy season
Country boats
Singara
Mahimgaon
Confluence
with the Boko
80
During rainy season
Country boats
Kullong
Jakhalabandha
Junction
Kopilli
121
During rainy season
Country boats
Kullong
Junction of Kopilli
Confluence
with
Brahmaputra
56
Throughout the year
Country boats
Kopilli
Khariakhana
Jagigaon
103
Throughout the year
Country boats
Killing
Amlighat
Naldhara
26
During rainy season
Country boats
Jamuna
Howraghat
Jamunamukh
97
During rainy season
Country boats
Dhansiri G
Golaghat town
Dhansiri mukh
48
Throughout the year
Country boats
Bhogdol
Jorhat
Mahuramukh
80
During rainy season
Country boats
Jhanji
Rajabari Tea Estate
Jhanjimukh
64
During rainy season
Country boats
Dikhu
Naginimara
Dikhumukh
97
During rainy season
Country boats
Desang
Dilli Tea Estate
Desangmukh
129
During rainy season
Country boats
Burhi Dehing
Namsang Tea Estate
Dehingmukh
161
During rainy season
Country boats
Non-Dehing
Waket
Bojalmiri Basti
97
During rainy season
Country boats
of
Total Brahmaputra Basin
3397
Country boats
Source: Inland Waterways of India, Central Water Commission
There is no water connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh as of now. The Brahmaputra and Barak are
the two most important navigable rivers of Assam. There are numerous tributaries which are
navigable by country boats. At present, two public sector organizations, viz., the State
Directorate of Inland Water Transport (IWT) and Central Inland Water Transport Corporation
(CIWTC) are operating water transport services between Guwahati and Kolkata exclusively for
movement of goods. The Department of Inland Water Transport, Assam is operating 61 numbers
of Ferry Services for the purpose of public utility.
The table below shows the various rivers flowing in Assam and the distance navigable in each of
them:
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Table No 2.13
Various navigable rivers in Assam
River
Route length (in km)
Navigable by country boat
Navigable by engine boat
Total
Brahmaputra
724
637
1361
Subansiri
143
64
207
Barak
153
65
218
Total
1020
766
1786
Source: NER Databank, NEDFi
As the transportation through the water bodies is very limited in the North-East, they mainly
have to depend on the nearest available opportunity for trading of their goods to other states
and countries. The nearest major ports that the states in the North-East can access to are:
A) Kolkata Dock System (KDS)
B) Haldia Dock Complex (HDC)
2.3 LAND AREA OF THE STATES
All the eight states in total occupy an area of 262179 sq.km which is 7.9% of the total area of the
country. The largest state in terms of the area is Arunachal Pradesh which occupies an area of
83743 sq. km followed by Assam which occupies an area of 22327 sq.kms. The smallest of all the
8 states is Sikkim which has an area of 7096 sq. kms.
Source: indiastat.com
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2.4 DEMOGRAPHY
A. POPULATION
Of all the north east states, Assam is highly populated state followed by Tripura which has a
population of 3199203. Arunachal Pradesh though has a very large land area but it has small
population due to adverse topographical condition. Sikkim being small in area also has small
population.
B. DENSITY
The North East Region is the home to extraordinarily diverse mosaic of ethnic groups having
distinctive social, cultural and economic identity, more akin to their South Asia neighbours than
main land India. The density of the region varies widely due to complex geographical and
cultural composition. With a total population of 39 million (2001 census) and covering an area of
262,179 square kilometers, the Northeastern Region is relatively sparsely populated compared
too much of the rest of India. However, population density varies widely among the
northeastern states. Assam and Tripura are the most densely populated (with over 300 people
per square kilometer, around the Indian average), while Arunachal Pradesh is the least densely
populated (13 persons per square kilometer).
Source: Census
of India, 2001
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C. POPULATION GROWTH RATE
D. LITERACY RATE
The literacy rate in the North East States of
India is higher than the National Average.
Mizoram has the highest literacy rate of
88.8%, followed by Tripura and Manipur
which have more than 70% literacy rate. Rest
all other states have more than 50% of the
population educated.
Source: GOM. 2005. Statistical Abstract of Manipur,
Directorate of Economics & Statistics, pp. 29-31.
Note: * Excludes population for Mao-Maram, Paomata
and Purul sub-division of Senapati District
E. SEX RATIO
2.5 URBANISATION
Urbanisation in North East has been growing rapidly over the years. In comparison to all India
level (2001), most of the states of North East have urbanisation level above the national average
of 27.7%. Except for the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura have urbanisation level less
than the national average. (Source: Trends and Patterns of India’s Urbanisation: A Demographic Assessment;
Prof. Ram. B. Bhagat & Soumya Mohanty)
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Most of the states in North East are tribal dominated. The states having more than 50% tribal
population include Arunachal Pradesh
(64.2%), Meghalaya (85.9%), Mizoram
(94.5%) and Nagaland (89.1%) according to
2001 Census of India. Increasing
urbanization in these states is mainly
because of rural-urban migration. These
tribal states are the top four states in India
according to 2001 Census data on ruralurban migration based on last residence
with duration 0-9 years. The rural-urban
migration was highest in Mizoram (39.1%)
followed by Meghalaya (27.4%), Nagaland
(26.8%) and Arunachal Pradesh (26.1%).
This increasing rural-urban migration in
tribal states of Northeast India could be
associated with various factors especially in
search of better jobs, education and living
conditions. (Source: Increasing Urbanisation in
Tribal States of Northeast India: Implications for the
Prevalence of Chronic; DiseasesR. Khongsdier)
As a result of this migration among the states, the trend of urbanisation among the states has
been changing and is witnessing a progressive trend. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh are the states
which have seen the highest increase in the % of urban population. On the other hand, even
though Assam doesn’t have a very large urban population but it share in India’s urban
population is 1.20%.
Table No 2.14
Urbanisation in North East
Level
(Percentage of urban population to
total population of the state)
S.No.
Percentage share in India’s
urban population
States
1981
1991
2001
1981
1991
2001
1
Arunachal Pradesh
6.56
12.21
20.89
0.03
0.05
0.08
2
Assam
9.88
11.08
12.91
1.12
1.14
1.20
3
Manipur
26.42
27.69
24.11
0.24
0.23
0.20
4
Meghalaya
18.07
18.69
19.69
0.15
0.15
0.16
5
Mizoram
27.70
46.20
49.49
0.08
0.15
0.15
6
Nagaland
15.52
17.28
17.24
0.08
0.10
0.12
7
Sikkim
16.15
9.12
11.08
0.03
0.02
0.02
8
Tripura
10.99
15.26
17.10
0.14
0.19
0.19
Source: Census of India 1981, General Population Tables, Part II-A (I), Series 1; Census of India
1991,
Primary
Census
Abstract:
General
Population,
Part
II
B
(i),
Series
1;
2. Census of India 2001, Final Population Totals, Registrar General and Census Commissioner, New Delhi
Vol I: C.2-16
Draft Report
Tourism Master Plan for North Eastern Region
2.6 ECONOMY OF NORTH EAST STATES
The North East India comprises of the eight States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Tribal population forms only one fourth of
the population of the North East, despite the fact that in four States i.e., Mizoram, Meghalaya,
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, tribals are in majority and in Mizoram, they constitute as high
as 95% of the population. There are differences among the eight States in the North Eastern
region with respect to their resource endowments, level of industrialisation as well as
infrastructural facilities. The industrial sector has mainly grown around tea, petroleum [crude],
natural gas, mining; saw mills and steel fabrication units in other parts of the region. The
economy of the region is still primarily agrarian but its full potential is yet to be exploited. The
contribution of agriculture to State domestic income is much higher in this region, except for
Meghalaya and Nagaland. Mining in case of Meghalaya and forestry and logging in case of
Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are important contributors to NSDP. The contribution of
construction is also high in this region. The region’s economy is generally characterized by low
per-capita income, low capital formation, in-adequate infrastructure facilities, geographical
isolation and communication bottleneck, inadequate exploitation of natural resources like
mineral resources, hydro power potential, forests etc., low progress in industrial field, lack of
private and foreign direct investment and high un-employment rate among the relatively high
literate people. The per capita income in the North Eastern region on an average is Rs. 12,918/as compared with the national average of Rs. 17,947/- at current prices of 2001-02.
 Per Capita Income:
The natural resource endowments and education levels of the population notwithstanding, the
North East Region represents one of the least developed – economically and industrially –
regions of the country. This fact is clearly brought out by the following economic and
demographic features of NER, as compared with that of the country.
Table No 2.15
Per Capita Net State Domestic Product At Current Prices As On 15.09.2008 (Rs.)
States
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
Arunachal Pradesh
19322
22185
22335
25836
Assam
15487
17013
18211
20166
Manipur
14728
18386
20326
22495
Meghalaya
19830
21232
22847
24672
Mizoram
21963
22417
23900
25679
Nagaland
20821
20998
21083
--
Sikkim
21476
23791
26412
29521
Tripura
21138
22836
25700
27777
Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)
Vol I: C.2-17
Draft Report
Tourism Master Plan for North Eastern Region
To understand the economic structure of the North East States, it is necessary to understand the
major economic activity happening in the region. As compared to rest of India, the population of
the Northeast is predominantly rural. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy and is
dominated in the hill states by Jhumming. This section reflects the features of the economy of
the Northeast.
 Agriculture:
The pattern of agricultural growth has however remained uneven across regions and crops. The
NER continues to be a net importer of food grains even for its own consumption. In spite of
covering 7.7% of the country’s total geographical area, NER produces only 1.5 % of the country’s
total food grain production. Agriculture provides livelihood support to 70 % of the population of
NER.
Table No 2.16
Per capita grain production in northeastern states, 1972 and 1991
State
Per capita food grain
production 1972 (kg)
Per capita food grain
production 1991 (kg)
Arunachal Pradesh
104
253
Assam
158
154
Manipur
159
155
Meghalaya
120
87
Mizoram
224
118
Nagaland
107
160
116
187
Per capita food grain
production 2001 (kg)
Sikkim
Tripura
Source: Dutta 2002, p. 15, INDIGENOUS FOREST STEWARDS OF NORTHEAST INDIA- Mark Poffenberger, Editor
 Fisheries:
There is a great potential in the NER in the fishery sector. Due to various reasons currently there
is low fish production in the NER. At present the NER imports around 90,000 tonnes of fish from
outside the region.
Table No 2.17
Fish Production In NER 2006-2007 (PROVISIONAL) (In 000' Tones)
State
Marine
Inland
Total
Arunachal Pradesh
0
2.77
2.77
Assam
0
181.48
181.48
Manipur
0
18.61
18.61
Meghalaya
0
5.49
5.49
Mizoram
0
3.76
3.76
Nagaland
0
5.8
5.8
Sikkim
0
0.15
0.15
Vol I: C.2-18
Draft Report
Tourism Master Plan for North Eastern Region
Tripura
0
28.63
28.63
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi

Forest resources:
Table No 2.18
Proportion of Forestland Under Community Control
State
% of total forested area
% of total community control
Arunachal Pradesh
82
62
Assam
30
33
Manipur
78
68
Meghalaya
70
90
Mizoram
87
33
Nagaland
85
91
55
41
Sikkim
Tripura
Source: INDIGENOUS FOREST STEWARDS OF NORTHEAST INDIA- Mark Poffenberger, Editor
Vol I: C.2-19
Draft Report
Tourism Master Plan for North Eastern Region
2 ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
NORTH EAST- REGIONAL PROFILE ................................................................................................ 1
2.1
Regional Analysis.............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
A.
Geographical setting ....................................................................................................... 1
B.
Accessibility ..................................................................................................................... 2
a)
Air Connectivity ............................................................................................................... 2
b)
Railways Connectivity ..................................................................................................... 4
c)
Road Connectivity ........................................................................................................... 6
d)
Water Connectivity ....................................................................................................... 10
C.
Land Area of the States: ................................................................................................ 13
D.
Demography .................................................................................................................. 14
a)
Population ..................................................................................................................... 14
b)
Density .......................................................................................................................... 14
c)
Population Growth Rate ............................................................................................... 15
E.
Urbanisation.................................................................................................................. 15
2.2
Economy of North East States....................................................................................... 17
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