Kohima, Dec 5 ( LatestNewsX)—Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, announced in Nagaland on Friday a series of development initiatives totaling more than ₹645 crore, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East Vision’.
The minister arrived in Dimapur on Thursday for a three‑day tour of the state and marked the day by taking part in the traditional Naga stone‑pulling ceremony at Tuophema village, which is part of the ongoing Hornbill Festival.
Later that day he unveiled a major investment package for Nagaland. Completed projects worth ₹202 crore were formally inaugurated, while foundation stones for new schemes amounting to roughly ₹443 crore were laid, bringing total commitments to over ₹645 crore.
In keeping with the Government of India’s focus on strengthening strategic connectivity in the Northeast, particular attention has been given to upgrading key road corridors and improving airport‑linked links through major route overhauls.
Scindia highlighted the impact of Prime Minister Modi’s innovative “Act East Policy”, noting that the renewed focus has accelerated growth across the region, reshaping its development arc and generating unprecedented momentum in infrastructure development—from connectivity and healthcare to innovation and youth empowerment.
He also pointed out that Nagaland’s youthful and ambitious population has the potential to drive not only the state’s progress but also play a vital role in India’s larger growth narrative.
Scindia added that several additional projects are already in the pipeline and will be advanced in close collaboration with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, further bolstering the state’s development agenda.
The ₹202 crore package inaugurated by the DoNER Minister comprises the following key works: the 132 kV Sub‑Station Upgrade, Nagarjan, Dimapur (₹24.46 crore), a teacher‑training and examination centre with residential facilities (₹20 crore), ICT infrastructure for 190 schools (₹18.95 crore), Phase‑II of the Chendang Saddle–Kohima Road (12.57 km, ₹5.59 crore) and AT Road upgrade from Tssurang to Impur (26.335 km, 3 bridges, ₹93.98 crore).
Foundation stones for ten new projects worth about ₹443 crore were also laid, covering a range of sectors, including a multispeciality hospital in Chümoukedima (PM‑DevINE ₹58.7 crore), a 50‑bed hospital in Peren HQ (PM‑DevINE ₹4.6 crore), the Kohima Sports Centre and IG Stadium (PM‑DevINE ₹72.6 crore), the Nagaland Innovation Hub (₹19.6 crore), an 11.5 MW Dzuza Small Hydro scheme (₹22.8 crore), a new DLC complex in Peren Township (₹21.9 crore) and the Old Peren‑Chalkot Road (16.50 km, ₹46.3 crore).
Additional road projects that received foundation stones include the Phomching–Longding Road (20.9 km, ₹58 crore), the Thizama‑Chiethu Airport Road (18.24 km, ₹42.6 crore), the Khonomo–NH‑29 Road via Dzudza River (9.15 km, ₹26.5 crore) and the Emloi–Ghukey Junction Road (13.70 km, ₹29.8 crore).
Wearing traditional Angami dress, Scindia joined the community in the revered stone‑pulling ceremony, experiencing firsthand the unity and collective spirit that defines the Angami Naga way of life.
He remarked, “This tradition is not merely a display of physical strength but a living reminder of how heritage binds communities together. Standing here among the people of Tuophema, I felt the deep wisdom of a society that safeguards its roots while embracing progress.”
In a post on his X handle, the minister said: “To witness and partake in the Naga tradition of stone pulling in its full splendour was an honour and a truly grounding experience, where the village of Tuophema breathed as one body and their rich Angami heritage rose as a living force.”
He added, “Standing here this morning, I felt the Angami community’s deep wisdom rooted in tradition yet welcoming the world with open arms. As hundreds pulled the monolith, Tuophema seemed to move with one resolve and one heartbeat. They exemplify how the Northeast, with its rapid development and steadfast preservation of cultural traditions, aligns beautifully with PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘development as well as heritage’, where progress & culture rise together, strengthening the spirit of our nation.”
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