Policy Update
Rahul Mondal
The North Eastern Region of India is called the “Gateway to Southeast Asia,” and it is also known for its rich cultural diversity, stunning landscapes and strategic geopolitical importance. But despite all its strengths, this region has long faced basic developmental challenges like road connectivity, water and other urban infrastructure. The cities in the Northeast grow quickly by increasing rural to urban migration, improved educational opportunities and expanding economic activities in urban areas. But the lack of proper infrastructure has made it clear that there is a real need for long term and inclusive development that benefits everyone. Kindly try to make clarity. The Government of India launched the North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme (NERUDP) with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to address these issues of Northeast and bridge the development gap.
Background
The NERUDP was launched in 26 February, 2009 by the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to improve essential urban services in five capital cities included Agartala in Tripura, Aizawl in Mizoram, Gangtok in Sikkim, Kohima in Nagaland and Shillong in Meghalaya. The programme focused on enhancing the quality of life for urban residents by developing drainage systems and sanitation services, sustainable water supply systems and solid waste management systems. The NERUDP wasn’t just a development plan, it felt like a much needed lifeline that was long overdue because of the region’s hilly terrain, slower economic growth and complex social and political landscape.
Objectives and Focus Areas
The key objectives of the NERUDP were straightforward and transformative. The programme aimed not just at improving basic urban facilities but also at bringing in important changes in how cities are managed and governed. The goals of NERUDP included:
- Ensuring 24/7 water supply through the establishment of new pipelines, treatment plants and storage facilities.
- Developing modern drainage and sanitation systems to reduce health risks and improve environmental hygiene.
- Building efficient and scientific solid waste management facilities.
- Strengthening the capability of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through training, financial reforms and improved service delivery mechanisms.
The ADB supported these projects through three rounds of funding with consistently providing financial assistance and expert guidance over the years. The NERUDP not only prioritized construction and physical development but also actively strengthened local institutions by empowering ULBs with greater authority and responsibility. It introduced modern practices such as using GIS for managing property taxes and transitioning to a more transparent, updated accounting system.
Implementation and Progress
As of December 2021, a total of 84 projects or packages had been sanctioned under the NERUDP and 62 out of these had been completed, while 22 were at various stages of implementation. The government invested a total of ₹1,332.41 crore to support and carry out the development works under NERUDP. Initially the project was planned to be completed by 2016 but the timeline was extended several times, most recently up to March 31, 2022 due to accommodate delays caused by challenging terrain, monsoons, land acquisition issues and COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite delays, the progress was evident on ground. For example, the installation of new water treatment plants and pipelines in Agartala has made it much easier for people to get clean and safe drinking water right in their houses. In Aizawl, the development of proper drainage systems reduced the health risks in the low-income areas. In Gangtok, solid waste segregation and scientific disposal methods marked a significant improvement over dumping. Kohima and Shillong also saw notable infrastructure upgradation in waste management and road connectivity.
Challenges Faced
The implementation of the NERUDP on ground was not that easy. The challenging geographical condition of the North Eastern region like difficult terrain, limited accessibility and frequent natural disasters made the construction projects very difficult and expensive. Even, many of the ULBs did not have enough skilled staff or proper management systems and which made it harder to get things done on time.
Another major challenge was the lack of coordination between the departments of state and central government. In some cases, weak monitoring mechanisms and lack of updated data also affected the efficient decision making. Also, in states like Meghalaya and Nagaland, where the land is mostly owned by communities or clans, this made the land acquisition process more difficult for development projects.
Additionally, COVID-19 added a fresh layer of disruption by slowing the construction, impacted labour availability and diverted focus towards emergency health responses. Even with all the hurdles, the determination of the teams working on the ground and the support from local communities helped the development of the project.
Government Initiatives to Support NERUDP
The success of the NERUDP also relied heavily on the Indian government’s consistent focus on the development of the Northeastern region. Apart from this, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has also undertaken several other initiatives to support the region’s overall growth and development such as:
- The Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), under which 1,635 projects worth over ₹16,000 crore were sanctioned and more than 1,200 projects of it has been completed.
- The North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), under which 110 projects worth ₹2,563 crore were sanctioned and which focuses on improving both social and economic infrastructure in the region.
- The initiatives of North Eastern Council (NEC) and the North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS), which have collectively seen 1,446 projects sanctioned and 796 projects under it completed by 2021.
A key financial mechanism to support these efforts is the mandatory allocation of 10% of the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) by non-exempted central ministries for projects in the North Eastern states. Around ₹2.65 lakh crore was spent under this provision between 2014 and 2021.
Outcomes and Impact
The NERUDP may not have solved every urban problem in the North East but it has definitely made a meaningful difference in everyday lives of the people. People living in many areas of these five cities now have much easier access to basic services that they need in daily life like clean water, proper toilets and waste disposal. People no longer have to depend so much on hand pumps or wait for water tankers. The surroundings are much healthier now because of the cleaner toilets and better waste disposal. Now with the help of NERUDP life has become more comfortable and dignified for many families.
Not only this but NERUDP also strengthened the local bodies. Now, the ULBs are better prepared to manage public services, aided by training, use of technology and new systems that were introduced under the programme. This lays the groundwork for more citizen-centric and responsive governance in the long run.
The success of NERUDP has shown that the real change is possible in the Northeast with the right support. It has also encouraged both the government and multilateral agencies to keep investing in the region’s growth and development. It has demonstrated that the development projects in even the most remote areas can be successful with proper planning, funding and local engagement.
Way Forward
Although NERUDP has set the stage toward urban transformation but there’s still a long way to go. The NERUDP has laid a strong foundation towards development but the region still requires more support like better city planning, reliable transport, affordable housing, clean energy and infrastructure that can stand up to changing weather conditions and climate challenges.
As India continues to develop its cities through initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) but the experiences from the NERUDP offer valuable lessons. It is essential for making urban development truly effective and inclusive by involving local communities, giving more power to local governments, being open to different funding approaches and respecting the unique needs of each region.
Additionally, better inter-state collaboration, stronger digital infrastructure and private sector involvement can enhance the sustainability of urban development in the region.
Conclusion
The NERUDP has been an important step in improving the lives of people in North Eastern states. It is not just about developing the infrastructure but it is also about creating a bigger vision for cities that are more connected, inclusive and better to live in. The real success of this programme lies in how well we take care of what has already been done and how we keep building on it in the future. Good one .
The NERUDP has helped the North East move forward with hope by focusing on cities that work well for everyone, strong, fair and ready for the future. The real task now is to keep this progress going so that people across the region continue to enjoy better services, stronger governance and a higher quality of life.
References
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. (n.d.). Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,Government of India. Retrieved from mohua.gov.in: https://mohua.gov.in/cms/nerudp.php
Government of Mizoram. (2022, May 25). Department of Information & Communication Technology, Government of Mizoram. Retrieved from aizawlsipmiu.mizoram.gov.in: https://aizawlsipmiu.mizoram.gov.in/page/project-overview
Government of Nagaland. (n.d.). ud.nagaland.gov.in. Retrieved from ud.nagaland.gov.in: https://ud.nagaland.gov.in/asian-development-bankadb/
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. (n.d.). Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,Government of India. Retrieved from mohua.gov.in: https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/ADB_on_going02.pdf
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS . (2018, December 20). sansad.in. Retrieved from sansad.in: https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/247/Au1151.pdf?source=pqars
Ministry of Urban Development. (n.d.). Ministry of Urban Development. Retrieved from mohua.gov.in: https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/introduction02.pdf
Press Information Bureau. (2020, February 05). Press Information Bureau. Retrieved from pib.gov.in: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1601975
Press Information Bureau. (2021, December 09). Press Information Bureau. Retrieved from pib.gov.in: https://pib.gov.in/pressreleasepage.aspx?prid=1779735
Press Information Bureau. (2022, December 28). Press Information Bureau. Retrieved from pib.gov.in: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1887062
About the Contributor: Rahul Mondal is a Research Intern at IMPRI. He holds a MA in Defence and Strategic Studies from Rashtriya Raksha University, also specializing in India-Bangladesh border security, geopolitics, insurgency and defence.
Acknowledgement: The author extends his sincere gratitude to Dr. Arjun Kumar, Aasthaba Jadeja and all the members of IMPRI team to guide him through this process.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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