Guwahati: BCCI New Area Development Programme (NADP) committee convener Naba Bhattacharjee said a meeting will be convened by next week to chalk out an action plan for the six northeastern states, who will play in the Ranji Trophy plate group, to face the challenges in the season ahead.

Bhattacharjee, who is also the secretary of Meghalaya Cricket Association, told The Telegraph: "I am happy that our relentless efforts finally bore fruit. Now huge challenges lie ahead of us. Although some of us have the minimum infrastructure, it will not be adequate. We don't even have technical people to maintain them. Moreover, we will have to look out for experienced players despite financial constraints."

"I am going to convene a meeting of all the new states by next week to discuss and chalk out a road map for ourselves," he said.

The new states are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur. Besides, Bihar, Puducherry and Uttarakhand will feature in the group.

As far as infrastructure and logistics are concerned, he hinted that the new states will have to look forward to Assam for support. Arunachal and Sikkim do not have the minimum infrastructure required for Ranji Trophy.

Assam Cricket Association secretary Pradip Buragohain assured them of all help saying: "Being a senior member of the BCCI in the region, it will be our responsibility to help and guide the new states which we will definitely do. We will adjust our schedules to accommodate their matches as well as at grounds in Assam." "We will also allow those players who fail to make the cut to the Assam teams to play for the new states if they wish. We have already cleared Nagaland player Hokaito Zhimomi on Thursday to play for Nagaland," he added.

Manipur Cricket Association secretary Singam Priyananda Singh said: "We are planning to hold a triangular series involving Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland from the second week of August."

On outstation players in the Manipur team, he said: "We are yet to discuss the matter in the MCA."

NADP task force member Rajib Datta will inspect the Luwangpokpa cricket stadium on July 23.

Additional reporting by Robert Sapam in Imphal