New Delhi, July 30 (IANS): The NITI Aayog is preparing a roadmap for the development of the country's eastern and northeastern regions, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh said on Thursday.

He said inputs have been sought from ministries and state governments concerned.

"The Prime Minister's Office requested the erstwhile Planning Commission to undertake an exercise to prepare a roadmap for development of eastern and northeastern states of the country," Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"An exercise has been initiated by the NITI Aayog in this regard and comments and suggestions from the concerned ministries and state governments have been sought," he said.

The minister said development of physical and social infrastructure, sustainable utilisation of natural resources, expeditious implementation of the projects to improve road, rail, air, waterways connectivity, enhancement in agriculture productivity, promotion of organic farming, and expansion of digital and telecom network were some of the important sectors which have been identified for rapid development of the eastern and northeastern states.