India boosts Northeast highway funding by Rs 1,000 crore in 2025-26

The Government of India has allocated an extra Rs 1,000 crore for national highway projects in the Northeast. This funding boost was formalised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on March 23, 2026. The move aims to strengthen road and bridge infrastructure in the region.

The additional funds fall under the National Highways (Original-NE) category, specifically for capital expenditure. They can only be used for projects officially assigned to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by the Ministry. This ensures the money goes directly to approved highway developments.

With this latest infusion, the total revised allocation for Northeast highway projects in the financial year 2025-26 now stands at Rs 7,224.09 crore. The Central government has repeatedly emphasised the region's strategic importance, citing long-standing connectivity challenges as a key reason for prioritising these upgrades. The funding increase reflects ongoing efforts to improve transport links in the Northeast. The Ministry's order confirms that all additional resources must align with sanctioned NHAI projects in the area.

The revised budget of Rs 7,224.09 crore will support critical highway and bridge construction in the Northeast. These projects are part of a broader push to address infrastructure gaps and enhance regional connectivity. The funds will remain restricted to NHAI-authorised works as per the Ministry's guidelines.