KOHIMA, Dec 5: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Friday announced a major development package worth over ₹645 crore for Nagaland, describing it as a milestone aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East Vision’. The announcement came during his three-day visit to the state, which included participation in the traditional Naga stone-pulling ceremony at Tuophema village as part of the Hornbill Festival.

Scindia inaugurated completed projects totalling ₹202 crore and laid foundation stones for new initiatives worth about ₹443 crore. The projects span key sectors such as connectivity, healthcare, education, innovation, sports and energy—reflecting the Centre’s focus on boosting infrastructure and strategic connectivity across the Northeast. Major completed works include the ₹24.46-crore upgrade of the 132 kV sub-station in Dimapur, ICT infrastructure in 190 schools, the Chendang Saddle–Kohima Road Phase-II, and a significant ₹93.98-crore upgrade of the AT Road from Tssurang to Impur.

The newly launched projects cover a multispeciality hospital in Chümoukedima, a 50-bed hospital in Peren, the Kohima Sports Centre at IG Stadium, a new innovation hub, the Dzuza Small Hydro project, upgraded administrative complexes, and multiple road development initiatives. Scindia said several more projects were in the pipeline, to be pursued in close coordination with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

Dressed in traditional Angami attire, the minister joined the community in the symbolic stone-pulling event, calling it a reminder of unity, heritage and collective strength. He later shared his reflections on X, highlighting how Nagaland exemplifies the fusion of cultural preservation and rapid development—an approach central to the Centre’s vision for the Northeast.