Shillong, November 6 (MExN): The North Eastern Council (NEC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), released Rs 79.53 Cr for projects across the Northeast in October 2026, supporting initiatives in road connectivity, rural infrastructure, agriculture, industry, scientific research, education and cultural heritage.
The releases were made under the Schemes of NEC (SoNEC) and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme-Roads (NESIDS-Roads), alongside support for other strategic projects in the region.
Meghalaya received Rs 26.56 crore, with a major share allocated for the rehabilitation and strengthening of the 46.08-km Chokpot-Kharukol road under NESIDS-Roads. The project is expected to benefit 78 villages and more than 15,000 residents. Funding was also provided for the establishment of a Multi-Disciplinary Training-cum-Resource Centre in Shillong.
Sikkim received Rs 15.51 crore for initiatives to strengthen organic agriculture and veterinary healthcare. These included the 'Empowering Organic Growth' initiative through the strengthening of Internal Control Systems (ICS) and trade facilitation, as well as the upgradation of district veterinary hospitals into modern polyclinics in Pakyong, Soreng, Mangan and Gyalshing.
In Assam, Rs 14.79 crore was released under SoNEC and NESIDS-Roads for connectivity, livelihood and heritage-related projects. These included rural road links such as Mangaldoi-Mazikuchi and the Bogamati-Umananda link via Naobandha and Khaagrabari, an RCC bridge in Udalguri, a 20,000-litre dairy processing plant at Patacharkuchi, support for Deori tribal weavers in Lakhimpur and the Sepoy Mutiny War Memorial at Hailakandi.
Arunachal Pradesh received Rs 11.18 crore, with funding focused on strategic road connectivity in border and remote areas. The projects included the Riaga-Sango road in Kra Daadi district and the 21-km Amuli-Athuni road via Leyaka Pass at Anini. Funding was also allocated for a girls' hostel at Donyi Polo Government College, Kamki.
Nagaland received Rs 7.99 crore for enterprise development, trade facilitation, mineral-resource assessment and road connectivity. The initiatives included the proposed establishment of a Supercritical Extraction Unit and a Community Trade Link Centre at Jalukie, assessment of strategic and critical minerals, upgradation of the Lampong Sheanghah-Nyasa road in Mon district and support for backward-area development in Phomching.
Tripura received Rs 3.50 crore for establishing the Agar International Trade and Research Centre to strengthen commercial value chains in the agarwood sector. Support was also extended to research documenting the contributions of tribal freedom fighters.
In Manipur and Mizoram, funding was extended to several initiatives, including the Lamlai-Thoubal Dam and Kamjong-Phungyar road projects, a PSC bridge over the Leimakhong River, infrastructure for the Barak Heritage Festival in Senapati, facilities at Oriental College in Imphal West, a modern jaggery processing centre at Phulpui and a market at West Phaileng.
Projects completed
Several projects across the region were also completed or formally closed during October, covering infrastructure, scientific research, agriculture, livelihoods, education and cultural preservation.
In Arunachal Pradesh, a 6-km strategic road connecting BRTF Road to Pidi in West Siang was completed at a cost of Rs 19.55 crore, improving access to the Mechukha area. The newly constructed Mini Football Stadium at Chowkham in Namsai district was also operationalised.
In Assam, the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, commissioned its expanded Tissue Culture Laboratory, increasing its bamboo tissue-culture capacity tenfold, from 3,000 to 30,000 plantlets.
Other completed initiatives in the state included the integrated development of Socheng Development Block in West Karbi Anglong, provision of essential services at Rongmongwe Block in Karbi Anglong and development of a high-tech horticulture nursery.
In Meghalaya, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, completed the design and development of low-cost laboratory instruments.
Nagaland completed two capacity-building initiatives: a post-harvest rubber-sheet processing support project that provided roller machines to farmers, and a specialised technical training programme in commercial fruit-wine making.
In Mizoram, the Aizawl Institute of Art and Music at Tuivamit Tlang was completed, while a project integrating socio-cultural events with economic value chains was formally closed.
In Manipur, heritage conservation works were completed for the historic Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire and ancient monuments at Andro. The strengthening of Hindi sections in 10 government colleges was also completed.
