Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Leads Traditional Naga Stone-Pulling; Unveils ₹645-Crore Development Package for Nagaland

Union Minister of Communications and DoNER, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, marked a significant and culturally rich day in Nagaland as he participated in the traditional Naga stone-pulling ceremony at Tuophema Village during the Hornbill Festival. The visit also saw the announcement of a major development package, with over ₹645 crore dedicated to strengthening the state’s core infrastructure.

Scindia inaugurated completed projects worth more than ₹202 crore and laid the foundation stones for new initiatives amounting to nearly ₹443 crore, signalling a strong push for growth across key sectors including health, road connectivity, power, sports, and innovation.

Participation in Traditional Stone-Pulling Ceremony

Wearing traditional Angami attire, Scindia joined the villagers in the revered cultural practice of stone pulling, experiencing the community’s unity and collective spirit.
“This tradition is not just about physical strength; it symbolizes how heritage binds communities together,” he said. “Standing among the people of Tuophema, I felt the deep wisdom of a society that protects its roots while embracing development.”

Inauguration and Launch of Key Projects

In line with the Government of India’s continued focus on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast under the Act East Policy, Scindia unveiled multiple initiatives across Nagaland.

He inaugurated five completed projects worth over ₹202 crore:

• 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 to Impur (26.335 km, 3 bridges) – ₹93.98 crore

Additionally, foundation stones were laid for ten new projects valued at around ₹443 crore:

• Multispeciality Hospital, Chümoukedima (PM-DevINE) – ₹58.7 crore

• 50-Bed Hospital, Peren HQ (PM-DevINE) – ₹44.6 crore

• Kohima Sports Centre, IG Stadium (PM-DevINE) – ₹72.6 crore

• Nagaland Innovation Hub – ₹19.6 crore

• 11.5 MW Dzuza Small Hydro – ₹22.8 crore

• New DLC Complex, Peren Township – ₹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 (13.70 km) – ₹29.8 crore

Advancing PM Modi’s Act East Vision

Scindia highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy has fundamentally accelerated development across the Northeast, reshaping infrastructure, boosting regional connectivity, and creating new avenues for growth.

He noted that Nagaland’s young, ambitious population has the potential to play a pivotal role in India’s growth story. He further said that several additional projects are already in the pipeline and will be advanced in close coordination with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, ensuring continued development momentum across the state.