In a major push to accelerate infrastructure and sectoral development in Nagaland, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Friday virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple projects worth over Rs.645 crore.
The state-level ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall, Phezou Resort, Tuophema, in the presence of chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister T.R. Zeliang.
The programme marked the commissioning of completed projects amounting to over Rs.202 crore, alongside the launch of new initiatives totalling nearly Rs.443 crore across critical sectors including Power, Health, PWD (R&B), Education, Youth Resources & Sports, and IT & Communication.
Five projects were inaugurated, including the upgradation of the 132 kV sub-station at Nagarjan, Dimapur (Rs.24.46 crore), aimed at strengthening power transmission.
In the School Education sector, the In-Service Teachers Training-cum-Examination Centre with residential facilities costing Rs.20 crore and the IT infrastructure upgrade across 190 schools worth Rs.18.95 crore were formally opened. Under PWD (R&B), two major road projects—upgradation of Chendang Saddle–Noklak Road (Rs.45.59 crore) and improvement of AT Road from Tsusangra to Impur Junction including bridges (Rs.93.98 crore)- were completed.
Foundation stones were laid for eleven new projects across key departments. In Health & Family Welfare, Scindia launched the construction of a multispeciality hospital at Chümoukedima (Rs.58.72 crore) and a 50-bedded hospital at the new Peren District Headquarters (Rs.44.65 crore).
Under Youth Resources & Sports, the Kohima Multi-disciplinary Sports Centre at the IG Stadium complex will be built at a cost of Rs.72.59 crore. The Nagaland Innovation Hub for Startups under IT & Communication (Rs.19.57 crore) aims to foster entrepreneurship and digital transformation. In the Power Department, the 1.5 MW Dzuna Small Hydro Project (Rs.22.80 crore) will strengthen renewable energy production.
Seven new PWD (R&B) road projects totalling over Rs.225 crore were also launched, covering key routes including 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. Scindia also inaugurated the Regional Craft and Resource Centre at Tuophema.
Addressing the gathering, Scindia reflected emotionally on his family’s historical ties with the North East, recalling his late father’s visit to Nagaland in 1992. He said the warmth he received from the people brought back vivid memories of that connection. Scindia, who attended the programme in traditional Naga attire, said he was deeply moved by the hospitality and cultural richness of the state.
He emphasised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s renewed focus on the Northeast under the Act East Policy, stating that the region was witnessing transformative growth. He highlighted that the number of airports in the North East has increased from nine to seventeen in the last eleven years, while weekly air traffic movements have risen from 900 to over 2,000.
Scindia said that Rs.6.02 lakh crore has been invested in the region through 52 Union ministries. Nagaland’s tax devolution, he added, has grown from Rs. 5,505 crore to Rs.37,000 crore, with grant-in-aid nearly doubling to Rs.65,000 crore.
Calling the North East “the engine of India,” Scindia cited the region’s annual economic growth rate of 10–13 percent—higher than the national average.
To support this momentum, he announced the creation of eight high-level task forces chaired by chief ministers or governors to prepare a unified regional development roadmap.
The Union Minister also announced collaboration with Nagaland to develop the Dimapur-Kohima-Kisama-Dzükou tourism circuit, complementing similar circuits launched in Meghalaya and Tripura. Praising the growing success of Naga coffee, he assured full support in branding and promoting it globally.
Scindia said he was amazed by Nagaland’s vibrancy- from the mist-covered hills and the cultural heritage preserved in morungs, to the diversity reflected in Khonoma Green Village and Dzükou Valley.
Referring to the Hornbill Festival and the traditional stone-pulling ceremony he attended earlier in the day, he described it as a “powerful blend of culture, ritual, and collective identity” that honoured past generations while inspiring future progress.
State chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, in his address, said the occasion was not merely about launching new projects but also a “celebration of collective progress” under flagship DoNER schemes including NESIDS-OTRI, NESIDS-Roads, PM-DevINE and others. These initiatives, he said, had strengthened infrastructure, boosted connectivity, enhanced essential services, and expanded economic opportunities across the state.
Rio said sustained support from the Ministry had enabled significant improvements in roads, bridges, water supply systems, educational and health institutions, digital infrastructure, and youth-development facilities. These interventions, he added, had helped close long-standing gaps and brought development to remote areas.
Expressing gratitude for the establishment of High-Level Task Forces for the Northeast, Rio said it was an honour for Nagaland to have been entrusted with convening the HLTF on Handlooms & Handicrafts. He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to contributing actively to the region’s holistic development.
Highlighting agriculture-based entrepreneurship, Rio said Nagaland’s high-quality coffee was rapidly emerging as a global product, with exports to South Africa, the European Union, the Middle East and other regions. The sector, he said, was being driven by innovative young entrepreneurs and held immense promise for rural economic transformation.
Dr. Rio further assured that the State government was working to expedite all pending projects under DoNER, having strengthened monitoring mechanisms and streamlined administrative coordination to ensure timely completion.
The programme was chaired by chief secretary Sentiyanger, while deputy chief minister T.R. Zeliang delivered the welcome address.
Earlier, deputy chief minister, T.R. Zeliang delivered the welcome address, while chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen chaired the programme. A host of ministers, advisors and other dignitaries attended the programme.
Scindia attends traditional stone pulling
Correspondent
Kohima, DEC 5 (NPN): Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, attended the traditional stone pulling ceremony held at Touphema village, Kohima, on Friday.
The ceremony, hosted by chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio in collaboration with the department of Tourism, was one of the major highlights of the ongoing 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival.
In his address, Scindia said the stone pulling ceremony was not merely a physical task but embodied the union of body, mind, soul, heart and spirit.
He thanked chief minister Rio and the people of Nagaland for inviting him to what he described as one of the most important cultural ceremonies of the state, a day filled with heritage and emotion resonating across India.
To commemorate the event, a cultural extravaganza was held at TouphePhezou Resort where chief minister Rio extended greetings to Scindia and expressed gratitude for his participation in the festival.
The programme featured an invocation by Dr. Gelhou Seyie, folk dances by Gilead students Touphema, Dzülhami cultural troupe, Tesophenyu cultural troupe and Lazami cultural troupe, and folk songs by Zhadima cultural troupe and Botsa women group. The event was compered by KhriemenuoKense and ShürhozelieSeyie.
Earlier, Rev. Rüdilhou Rio invoked God’s blessing, followed by a welcome address from Pfüduolhou Kense, chairman of Touphema Village Council. Ritual blessing was offered by Kevikhe Serie, GB of Touphema village.