Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia greets locals at Tuophema Village, Nagaland on December 5. (Morung Photo)
Inaugurates five completed projects worth over Rs 202 cr
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 5
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on his visit to Nagaland at Tuophema Village has announced major infrastructure projects amounting to Rs 443.412 crore.
Speaking at the inauguration of projects under the Ministry of DoNER, the Union Minister highlighted the Centre’s continued commitment to developing the Northeast and affirmed plans to expand tourism, promote Naga coffee on the global stage, and accelerate infrastructure connectivity across the region.
He laid the foundation stones for 11 new projects worth Rs 443.412 crore including a multispeciality Hospital at Chümoukedima at Rs 58.721 crore, a 50 bedded Hospital at New Districts headquarter Peren amounting to Rs 44.651 crore, construction of Kohima Multi-disciplinary Sports Centre at IG Stadium complex, Kohima at Rs 72.691 crore, Nagaland Innovation Hub for Startup amounting to Rs 19.566 crore and development of 1.5 MW Dzüna Small Hydro Project at Rs 22.803 crore.
Also six road projects connecting key towns and villages including the construction of road from Jalukie to New DC Complex model Township 8.40 KM (Rs 21.91 crore); Old Peren via Chalkot junction 16.50 KM (Rs 46.32 crore); improvement of road from Phomching HQ to Longding HQ 20.9KM (Rs58 crore); upgradation of road from Thizama via Kohima Bypass road to Ciethu Airport 18.24 KM (Rs 42.46 crore); upgradation of road from Khonoma village to NH-29 via Dzüdza river 9.15 KM (Rs 26.46 crore) and improvement of road from Coco road Emlomi (Old British Bungalow) to Ghukiye junction 13.70 KM (Rs 29.79 crore)
Scindia also inaugurated upgradation of transformation capacity at 132 kv substation Nagarjan, Dimapur; in-service teachers' training cum examination ceteenwith Residential facilities, implementation of educational infrastructure related to IT projects in 190 schools across Nagaland, upgradation of Chendang Saddle-Noklak road and upgradation of AT road from Tsusangra to Impur. The five projects amount to Rs 202.98 crore.
Scindia stated that these investments will strengthen markets, improve healthcare, empower students, nurture innovation and create opportunities for youth.
Naga coffee to get a boost
Scindia confirmed that work is underway on a major tourism circuit linking Dimapur, Kohima, Kisama and Dzükou Valley. He expressed hope to return soon to lay the foundation stone in partnership with the state government.
The Minister also praised the potential of Naga coffee, with over 11,000 hectares under cultivation, and assured full support from the DoNER ministry in branding and promoting it globally.
Northeast as India’s ‘first frontier’
The Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast has moved from being perceived as India’s “last frontier” to becoming the “first frontier” and gateway to Southeast Asia. He highlighted key achievements over the past 11 years stating that the National highways expanded from 9,000 km to 15,000 km, 45,000 km of rural roads developed under PMGSY, Number of airports in the region increased from 9 to 17, Weekly air traffic movements risen from 900 to over 2,000, over Rs 6 lakh crore invested in the Northeast from 52 ministries and that the tax devolution to Nagaland increased from Rs 5,505 crore to Rs 37,000 crore, and grants-in-aid nearly doubled
He said the Northeast is currently growing at 10–13%, outpacing the national GDP growth rate.
The Union Minister also informed that eight high-level task forces, each chaired by a Chief Minister, are developing a collective vision for the Northeast. He assured that the Centre will fully implement the recommendations, reaffirming the region’s role as a key driver of India’s growth.
“We will transform the Northeast. We will transform Nagaland and position it as a Shangri-La the world must experience,” he said, thanking the people for their hospitality and warmth.
Meanwhile describing his visit as “emotional” and deeply memorable experience, Scindia praised the warmth of the Naga people and the vibrancy of their cultural heritage.
Recalling his father's visit to Nagaland in 1992, he said being dressed in traditional Naga attire has brought back memories from 37 years ago.
Calling the stone-pulling ceremony “a powerful symbol of unity, history and continuity,” he maintained that the tradition uniquely combines art, ritual and monument-building, embodying the “heartbeat” of Naga culture.
The Minister also underlined the remarkable cultural and environmental diversity of Nagaland emphasising that this must be preserved even as the state embraces development.
“And with me acting as your bridge. We will make the impossible into the possible. We will transform the Northeast. We will transform Nagaland and position it as the ‘Shangri-La.’ That the world must come and always experience,” asserted Scindia.
