India has approved an ambitious plan to construct a 500-kilometer rail network in its northeast, a move aimed at strengthening connectivity in some of the country’s most remote and sensitive border regions. The $3.4 billion project, which includes extensive bridges and tunnels, will connect areas bordering China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan. According to reports, the network is expected to take around four years to complete.
Alongside the new rail expansion, New Delhi has also reactivated dormant airside infrastructure in the northeast, including several Advance Landing Grounds that had not been used since 1962. These facilities will now support helicopters and military aircraft, enhancing India’s readiness in case of border tensions. The revival of this infrastructure highlights the dual focus on civilian development and defense preparedness.
The project comes even as India and China appear to be in a phase of improving relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit signaled a diplomatic thaw. Yet, Indian officials remain cautious, determined to fortify border regions in case relations falter again.
The northeastern rail initiative builds on a decade of major infrastructure investments. India has already added nearly 10,000 kilometers of highways at a cost of Rs 1.07 trillion in the region, with more than 5,000 kilometers still under construction. These efforts are designed to integrate border areas more closely with the rest of the country while also enabling rapid troop and equipment movement if necessary.
In addition to the northeastern projects, discussions are underway to expand rail lines closer to the disputed border with China in Ladakh. The existing network currently reaches Baramulla in Kashmir, but new links are being studied to improve accessibility to frontier zones. Together, these projects underscore India’s balancing act—pursuing improved ties with China while simultaneously investing in infrastructure to secure its borders.