Road from Dikhu Bridge to Amguri in Mokokchung district, Nagaland (Photo Courtesy: NEC)
Dimapur, May 21 (MExN): During the 15th Finance Commission (FC) period, North Eastern Council’s total expenditure in Nagaland stood at Rs 515.04 crore, combining the Schemes of NEC (SoNEC) and the NESIDS-Roads programme.
An update from the NEC stated that Nagaland has recorded “one of the most dynamic project portfolios among all Northeastern states” during this period, with a strong focus on value-chain development and industry-led economic advancement.
SoNEC expenditure
Under SoNEC, Nagaland recorded significant developmental progress during the 15th FC cycle with an expenditure of Rs 205.84 crore. Major interventions included development of sports and tourism infrastructure, educational institutions, cultural complexes, skill development centres, community infrastructure, and projects for backward and tribal communities.
Special emphasis was laid on agriculture and allied sectors through promotion of sericulture, beekeeping, horticulture, coffee, rubber, bamboo, handloom and handicrafts, livestock development, fisheries, and value-addition initiatives.
NEC-funded projects also covered preservation and promotion of Naga cultural heritage through museums, heritage complexes, indigenous learning centres, cultural tourism infrastructure, and tribal artisan support facilities, while enhancing eco-tourism and adventure tourism opportunities across the state.
In addition, SoNEC interventions promoted environmental conservation, geospatial planning, mineral resource assessment, afforestation, post-harvest infrastructure, and market linkage initiatives, contributing to balanced regional development and improved public service infrastructure.
NESIDS roads achievements
Under the NESIDS Roads programme during the 15th FC period, nine road projects worth Rs 309.20 crore were implemented in Nagaland, out of which five projects valued at Rs 231.79 crore have already been completed.
Among the recently completed projects is the upgradation of the road from Dikhu Bridge to Amguri in Mokokchung district, significantly improving connectivity to the cultural heartland of the Ao Naga community and enhancing regional mobility.
Flagship projects in 2025-26
In 2025-26, NEC sanctioned four major projects in Nagaland valued at over Rs 67.87 crore, aimed at strengthening commercial agriculture, industrial infrastructure, and livelihood generation.
Among the flagship initiatives is the Cluster-Based Coffee Value Chain Development project, the single largest state-specific project sanctioned in the Northeast during the year, designed to promote coffee cultivation, processing, branding, and marketing by building upon Nagaland’s internationally recognised Arabica coffee heritage and creating sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.
Complementing this initiative, NEC also sanctioned projects for post-harvest coffee processing facilities to modernise production systems and improve access to premium markets. Another significant initiative includes an integrated development project in the backward Phomching Assembly Constituency of Mon district focused on irrigation and water management to improve agricultural productivity and support livelihoods in one of the state’s remote regions.
Youth and scientific outreach
The Council also strengthened youth empowerment and scientific outreach through flagship initiatives such as the Ashtalakshmi Youth Exchange Programme, under which 581 students from universities and colleges across the country visited premier institutions of the North Eastern Region, including Nagaland University and the National Institute of Technology, Nagaland.
Another pioneering initiative, NE-SPARKS (North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach and Knowledge on Space), enabled 786 school students from all eight Northeastern states, including 95 students from Nagaland, to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) during 2025–26, promoting scientific awareness and innovation among students.
Fund releases in April under SoNEC
Further reinforcing its commitment towards inclusive economic development, NEC continued releasing funds during April 2026 for ongoing projects such as construction of a Cultural Activity Complex for the Chakhesang community at Pfutseromi village, promotion of Naga Chilly and the North East Festival of Rice to strengthen Nagaland’s agricultural brand identity, establishment of a Handicraft Facility Centre at Kohima, and Investigation & Assessment of strategic and critical minerals in Nagaland for economic viability.
Officials said a landmark allocation of funds for mineral exploration is expected to contribute significantly towards the state’s future industrial and economic development.
Fund releases in April under NESIDS Roads
Under NESIDS (Roads), NEC released a total amount of Rs 17.37 crore during April 2026 (FY 2026-27). These include upgradation of road from Lampong Sheanghah to Nyasa village via Longphoh and Shangnyu in Mon district, construction and upgradation of Glory Peak Tourist Road in Phek, upgradation of road from Tening to Lekie, and construction of road from Riaga to Sango village in the state of Nagaland.
