KOHIMA: A series of development initiatives under the Ministry of DoNER were inaugurated and foundation stones laid at the Multipurpose Hall, Phezou Resort, Tuophema in Nagaland on Friday.
Union Minister of Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya M Scindia, launched multiple projects aimed at boosting connectivity and regional transformation. The Union Minister inaugurated and launched major development projects across multiple departments amounting to Rs 646.39 crore, signaling a significant push toward strengthening infrastructure, public services, and connectivity in Nagaland.
Five projects were inaugurated across the Power, School Education, and PWD (R&B) departments. Under the Power Department, the up-gradation of the 132 kV sub-station at Nagarjan, Dimapur, funded at Rs 24.46 crore, has been completed to enhance power transformation capacity. Under the School Education Department, two projects were inaugurated- the In-Service Teachers Training-cum-Examination Centre with residential facilities costing Rs 20 crore, and the implementation of IT infrastructure in 190 schools across Nagaland at a cost of Rs 18.95 crore. Under PWD (R&B), two major road projects were completed: the upgradation of the Chendang Saddle–Noklak Road at Rs 45.59 crore and the improvement of AT Road from Tsusangra to Impur Junction, including bridges, at a cost of Rs 93.98 crore.
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Foundation stones of 11 new projects were also laid across the Health & Family Welfare, Youth Resources & Sports, IT & Communication, Power, and PWD (R&B) departments. Under Health & Family Welfare, foundation stones were laid for the Multi-speciality Hospital at Chümoukedima costing Rs 58.72 crore and the 50-bedded hospital at the new Peren District Headquarters at Rs 44.65 crore. Under Youth Resources and Sports, the Kohima Multi-disciplinary Sports Centre at the IG Stadium complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs 72.59 crore. Under IT & Communication, the Nagaland Innovation Hub for Startups, sanctioned at Rs 19.57 crore, aims to boost entrepreneurship and digital innovation. Under the Power Department, the 1.5 MW Dzuna Small Hydro Project, costing Rs 22.80 crore, will enhance renewable energy capacity. Under PWD (R&B), seven major road projects totalling over Rs 225 crore were launched, including those connecting Jalukie to the New DC Complex Township, Old Peren via Chalkot Junction, Phomching HQ to Longding HQ, Thizama to Chiethu Airport, Khonoma to NH-29, and Coco Road Emlomi to Ghukiye Junction.
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Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia delivering his address, described his two-day stay in Nagaland as both official and deeply personal. Speaking at a public programme in Tuophema, he recalled the visitation of his late father in 1992 and said that being dressed in Naga attire by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio earlier in the day revived memories from more than 30 years ago and deepened his emotional connection.
Scindia thanked the people of Nagaland for their warmth, hospitality and cultural vibrancy, saying that his experience over the past 36 hours made him feel blessed to serve the eight states of the Northeast. He emphasized that the region is no longer the last frontier, but the first frontier of India, serving as the gateway to Southeast Asia with immense economic and tourism potential.
Highlighting transformative development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said that the number of airports in the Northeast has grown from nine to seventeen over the past eleven years, while weekly air traffic movements have increased from 900 to over 2,000.
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He added that Rs 6.02 lakh crore has been invested across the Northeast through 52 Union ministries, while Nagaland’s tax devolution has risen from Rs 5,505 crore to Rs 37,000 crore, and grant-in-aid has nearly doubled to Rs 65,000 crore.
Describing the Northeast as the engine of India, Scindia said the region is growing at 10 to 13 percent annually, well above the national average, due to stable leadership across the states.
He also announced the formation of eight high-level task forces, each chaired by a Chief Minister or a Governor, to prepare a unified vision for the region.
Scindia further announced plans to work with Nagaland on the Dimapur-Kohima-Kisama-Dzükou tourism circuit, which will join similar circuits recently launched in Meghalaya and Tripura. He praised the rising success of Naga Coffee, and pledged full support to promote it as a global brand.
Reaffirming his commitment, he said that the government will stand with Nagaland and the Northeast to build a bright future for all.
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