Strengthening Multi-Modal Connectivity in North-Eastern Region
Multimodal connectivity involving physical, maritime, digital and energy connectivity in the form of roads & highways, airways, waterways, coastal shipping, etc. are critical enablers of enhancing trade and investment flows between India and the neighbouring countries.
Existing connectivity linkages between India and Southeast Asian countries need to be effectively harnessed to exploit this untapped potential, particularly by the North-eastern states.
The 'Act East Policy’ envisages improved connectivity between the North-eastern states and the ASEAN region.
India’s long international borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal provide opportunities for strengthening cross-border connectivity and its potential to boost international trade linkages.
Cross-border connectivity projects like the 1,400-km-long Trilateral Highways (TLH) involving India, Thailand and Myanmar link India with Southeast Asia, opening possibilities for greater social, economic and cultural ties between the two regions.
Further, projects such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T), etc. are pivotal for improving connectivity of the North-eastern states with neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The NER region’s abundant inland waterways present opportunities for shipping cargo in a cost-effective manner.
The plan to develop Eastern Waterways Connectivity Transport Grid has been conceptualized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to promote regional integration and trade with South Asia.
In view of these developments, this session will discuss the synergy in multimodal connectivity and the larger developmental gains accruing from improved connectivity.
Several connectivity projects have been identified as part of the Prime Minister GatiShakti National Master Plan which, along with the National Logistics Policy, will boost multimodal connectivity across the country, in particular the NER region.
Connectivity and infrastructure projects in NER have been largely funded by the union and the state governments.
Funding by multilateral development banks (MDBs) like Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, etc. has provided great support to infrastructure development in the region.
However, given the rising demand for infrastructure financing requirements, public funding would not be sufficient and effective.
There is a need to attract private sector investments and institutional investments possibly in the form of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Several innovative PPP models like Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), InVIT, Land Value Capture (LVC), etc. have been attempted by the Government of India.
Those models could be leveraged for greater engagement of private sector in connectivity projects in the North-eastern states.
It is equally important to identify the funding models from the perspective of converting the connectivity projects to economic corridors which might offer higher business proposition and value creation.
This session will deliberate upon the infrastructure financing opportunities including innovative financing models that are feasible and suited to the NER priorities.
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