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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 22/11/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (22-11-2025).

GS Paper 3 – Pointwise Model Answer (250 words)

Q. “The Northeast has the potential to emerge as India’s strategic energy and connectivity hub, but realizing this vision requires simultaneous progress in infrastructure, policy coordination, and environmental safeguards.” Discuss.

Introduction

The Northeast region, especially Assam, is endowed with significant hydrocarbon reserves, river systems, and a strategic location connecting India to Southeast Asia.
Recent initiatives—including the North East Oil & Gas Conclave 2025 and MoUs for inland waterways—highlight the Centre’s vision of transforming the region into an energy and connectivity hub.

1. Why the Northeast Has Strategic Potential (Energy + Connectivity)

A. Energy Potential

Abundant Hydrocarbons – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura hold important oil and gas reserves.
Growing Refining Capacity – Expansion of Numaligarh Refinery and investments in petrochemicals.
Emerging Gas Infrastructure – Plans for pipelines, LPG distribution, and gas-based industries.

B. Connectivity Potential

Multi-modal Corridors – Integration of road, rail and inland waterways (Brahmaputra–Barak).
India–Bangladesh Protocol Route – Reduces logistics cost and time for cargo movement.
Gateway to ASEAN – Critical to India’s Act East Policy, enabling cross-border trade.

2. Key Challenges Hindering Realisation of This Vision

A. Infrastructure Gaps

Inadequate last-mile connectivity in hilly and border areas.
Limited modern river ports, storage, pipelines, and multimodal logistics hubs.

B. Policy & Governance Challenges

Inter-state coordination issues among 8 NE states.
Security constraints and border-related restrictions.
Need for faster clearances for exploration and transport projects.

C. Environmental & Social Concerns

The region is an ecologically sensitive hotspot with fragile forests and river systems.
Exploration, dredging and pipeline activities can threaten biodiversity.
Community apprehensions regarding land acquisition and ecological risks.

3. What Needs to Be Done (Way Forward)

Strengthen infrastructure under PM Gati Shakti, with integrated road-rail-river networks.
Promote sustainable hydrocarbon extraction with strict environmental assessments.
Upgrade Inland Water Transport (IWT) for cleaner logistics and industrial cargo.
Accelerate green energy transition (biofuels, hydrogen, solar projects).
Enhance regional coordination among NE states through a unified energy strategy.
Invest in skilling—regional centres of excellence in geology, drilling, logistics.
Ensure community participation to build trust and smoothen project execution.

Conclusion

The Northeast’s rich resource base and strategic geography give it unparalleled potential to emerge as India’s energy and connectivity hub. However, this can be realised only through balanced development—simultaneously strengthening infrastructure, ensuring ecological safeguards, and improving inter-state policy coordination. A calibrated approach will allow the region to contribute significantly to national growth while preserving its unique environmental and socio-cultural fabric.

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