Scindia Unveils ₹645 Cr Boost for Nagaland After Joining Naga Stone-Pulling Rite

Out of the total ₹645 crore, projects worth ₹202 crore have been completed and inaugurated, while new initiatives worth ₹443 crore received their foundation stones.

Union Minister of Communications and DoNER, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, marked a historic and culturally vibrant day in Nagaland as he took part in the traditional Naga stone-pulling ceremony at Tuophema Village during the Hornbill Festival. The visit blended rich indigenous tradition with a powerful development agenda, signalling the Centre’s continued commitment to accelerating growth in the Northeast.

Participation in the Angami Stone-Pulling Tradition

Wearing traditional Angami tribal attire, Scindia joined villagers in the symbolic act of stone pulling—an age-old practice representing community cooperation, unity, and collective strength. The ritual, typically performed during the construction of morungs or other significant structures, serves as a living reminder of the tribe’s communal ethos.

Scindia remarked that the experience left a profound impression on him. “This tradition is not merely a display of physical strength but a living reminder of how heritage binds communities together. Standing here among the people of Tuophema, I felt the deep wisdom of a society that safeguards its roots while embracing progress.”

Major Development Projects Worth ₹645 Crore Rolled Out

Underscoring the Government of India’s intensified push for the Northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Scindia unveiled and inaugurated a substantial development package covering connectivity, healthcare, education, sports, energy, and innovation.

Out of the total ₹645 crore, projects worth ₹202 crore have been completed and inaugurated, while new initiatives worth ₹443 crore received their foundation stones.

Inaugurated Projects (₹202+ crore)

• 132 kV Sub-Station Upgrade, Nagarjan, Dimapur – ₹24.46 Cr Enhances power reliability and supports growing urban demand.

• Teachers Training & Exam Centre with Residential Facilities – ₹20 Cr Strengthens educational capacity-building and teacher quality.

• ICT Infrastructure in 190 Schools – ₹18.95 Cr Expands digital learning and boosts classroom modernization across districts.

• Chendang Saddle–Kohima Road (Phase-II, 12.57 km) – ₹45.59 Cr Improves district connectivity and reduces travel time to the capital.

• AT Road Upgrade, Tssurang to Impur (26.335 km, 3 bridges) – ₹93.98 Cr A major corridor upgrade expected to facilitate trade and regional mobility.

Foundation Stones for New Projects (₹443 crore)

The Minister announced ten new projects across crucial sectors:

• Multispeciality Hospital, Chümoukedima (PM-DevINE) – ₹58.7 Cr A major boost to tertiary healthcare infrastructure.

• 50-Bed Hospital, Peren HQ – ₹44.6 Cr Enhances health access in a remote, underserved district.

• Kohima Sports Centre, IG Stadium – ₹72.6 Cr A flagship youth-development project to nurture sports talent.

• Nagaland Innovation Hub – ₹19.6 Cr Aims to foster entrepreneurship, technology incubation, and research.

• 11.5 MW Dzuza Small Hydro Project – ₹22.8 Cr Adds clean energy capacity and supports green growth.

• New DLC Complex, Peren Township – ₹21.9 Cr Strengthens administrative infrastructure.

• Old Peren–Chalkot Road (16.50 km) – ₹46.3 Cr Enhances connectivity to remote villages.

• Phomching–Longding Road (20.9 km) – ₹58 Cr A strategic corridor improving inter-state access.

• Thizama–Chiethu Airport Road (18.24 km) – ₹42.6 Cr Complements the upcoming Chiethu Greenfield Airport project.

• Khonomo–NH-29 Road via Dzudza River (9.15 km) – ₹26.5 Cr Supports rural mobility and economic activity.

• Emloi–Ghukey Junction Road (13.70 km) – ₹29.8 Cr Further strengthens regional road networks.

A Boost to the Act East Vision

Scindia noted that the rapid transformation in the Northeast is a direct result of the Prime Minister’s Act East Policy, which has accelerated infrastructure development, economic integration, and connectivity to Southeast Asia. The Minister emphasized that the region, once neglected, is now witnessing unprecedented investment momentum.

He highlighted that Nagaland’s youthful population—highly aspirational and globally connected—is poised to become a key driver of the state’s and India’s future growth. The Centre, he said, will continue to work closely with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to advance more development projects soon to be announced.

A Symbolic Day for Culture and Progress

From participating in a deeply meaningful tribal ritual to announcing transformative infrastructure investments, Scindia’s visit represented an important convergence of heritage and modernisation—a message that Nagaland’s identity and growth can advance hand in hand.