Scindia Joins Naga Stone-Pulling, Unveils ₹645 Cr Development Boost for Nagaland
Minister backs PM Modi’s Act East vision with major push to health, roads, power, education and innovation
GG News Bureau
Kohima, 5th Dec: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, marked a landmark day in Nagaland on Friday as he participated in the traditional Naga stone-pulling ceremony at Tuophema Village during the Hornbill Festival and announced a ₹645-crore development package for the state.
Participates in Traditional Naga Stone-Pulling
Wearing traditional Angami attire, Scindia joined community members in the ceremonial stone-pulling, a cultural practice symbolising unity and collective strength.
“This tradition is not merely a display of physical strength but a reminder of how heritage binds communities together,” Scindia said, noting the deep cultural wisdom preserved by the Angami community.
Inaugurates Projects Worth ₹202 Crore
Following the ceremony, the minister inaugurated five completed infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening power systems, training capacity, digital education and key road corridors:
- 132 kV Sub-Station Upgrade, Nagarjan, Dimapur – ₹24.46 crore
- Teachers’ Training & Exam Centre with Residential Facilities – ₹20 crore
- ICT Infrastructure in 190 Schools – ₹18.95 crore
- Chendang Saddle–Kohima Road (Phase II, 12.57 km) – ₹45.59 crore
- AT Road Upgrade, Tssurang–Impur (26.335 km, 3 bridges) – ₹93.98 crore
Foundation Stones Laid for ₹443 Crore in New Projects
The minister also laid foundation stones for ten new initiatives spanning healthcare, sports, innovation, power and major road upgrades under PM-DevINE and other schemes:
- Multispeciality Hospital, Chümoukedima – ₹58.7 crore
- 50-Bed Hospital, Peren HQ – ₹44.6 crore
- Kohima Sports Centre, IG Stadium – ₹72.6 crore
- Nagaland Innovation Hub – ₹19.6 crore
- 11.5 MW Dzuza Small Hydro Project – ₹22.8 crore
- New DLC Complex, Peren – ₹21.9 crore
- Old Peren–Chalkot Road (16.50 km) – ₹46.3 crore
- Phomching–Longding Road (20.9 km) – ₹58 crore
- Thizama–Chiethu Airport Road (18.24 km) – ₹42.6 crore
- Khonomo–NH-29 Road via Dzudza River (9.15 km) – ₹26.5 crore
- Emloi–Ghukey Junction Road (13.7 km) – ₹29.8 crore
Push for Act East Vision
Calling the Northeast a central pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy, Scindia said the new projects reflect the government’s focus on strategic connectivity, sustainable energy and socio-economic empowerment.
He stressed that Nagaland’s young population represents a significant national strength, with several additional projects already being prepared in coordination with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Scindia will visit the Hornbill Festival grounds later in the evening to interact with cultural groups, entrepreneurs and performers.
