The North Eastern Council (NEC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), has released Rs. 79.53 crore for development projects across the eight northeastern states during October 2026. The funding supports initiatives covering road connectivity, rural infrastructure, agriculture, enterprise development, scientific research, education and cultural heritage. The releases have been made under the Schemes of NEC (SoNEC) and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme-Roads (NESIDS-Roads).
Meghalaya received the highest allocation of Rs. 26.56 crore among the eight states. A major portion has been directed towards the rehabilitation and strengthening of the 46.08-km Chokpot-Kharukol road under NESIDS-Roads. The project is expected to improve connectivity across 78 villages and benefit more than 15,000 residents. Financial support has also been extended for establishing a Multi-Disciplinary Training-cum-Resource Centre in Shillong.
Sikkim received Rs. 15.51 crore for strengthening organic agriculture and veterinary healthcare infrastructure. The initiatives include the Empowering Organic Growth programme through improved Internal Control Systems (ICS) and trade facilitation, along with the upgradation of district veterinary hospitals in Pakyong, Soreng, Mangan and Gyalshing into modern polyclinics.
Assam was allocated Rs. 14.79 crore for connectivity, livelihood generation and heritage-related initiatives. The supported projects include rural road links along the Mangaldoi-Mazikuchi and Bogamati-Umananda routes via Naobandha and Khaagrabari, an RCC bridge in Udalguri and a 20,000-litre dairy processing plant at Patacharkuchi. Assistance has also been extended to Deori tribal weavers in Lakhimpur and the development of the Sepoy Mutiny War Memorial in Hailakandi.
Arunachal Pradesh received Rs. 11.18 crore, with funding primarily directed towards strategic road connectivity in border and remote areas. The projects include the Riaga-Sango road in Kra Daadi district and the 21-km Amuli-Athuni road via Leyaka Pass in Anini. Funds have also been allocated for a girls’ hostel at Donyi Polo Government College in Kamki.
Nagaland received Rs. 7.99 crore for enterprise development, trade facilitation, mineral-resource assessment and road connectivity. The initiatives include a proposed Supercritical Extraction Unit and Community Trade Link Centre at Jalukie, assessment of strategic and critical minerals, upgradation of the Lampong Sheanghah-Nyasa road in Mon district and development activities in the backward areas of Phomching.
Tripura was allocated 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 chiefs and freedom fighters. In Manipur and Mizoram, funding covered the Lamlai-Thoubal Dam and Kamjong-Phungyar road projects, a prestressed concrete (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.
Alongside the fund releases, the NEC reported the completion or formal closure of several projects across the region during October. 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. A Mini Football Stadium at Chowkham in Namsai district was also made operational.
In Assam, the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, commissioned an expanded Tissue Culture Laboratory, increasing its bamboo tissue-culture capacity tenfold from 3,000 to 30,000 plantlets. Other completed initiatives included the integrated development of Socheng Development Block in West Karbi Anglong, provision of essential services at Rongmongwe Block in Karbi Anglong and the development of a high-tech horticulture nursery.
Meghalaya recorded the completion of a project at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, involving the design and development of low-cost laboratory instruments. In Nagaland, capacity-building initiatives covering post-harvest rubber-sheet processing and commercial fruit-wine production were completed. The rubber-processing project provided roller machines to farmers, while the fruit-wine initiative involved specialised technical training.
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. Manipur completed heritage conservation works at the historic Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire and ancient monuments in Andro. The strengthening of Hindi sections in 10 government colleges was also completed.
The NEC also supported the North East Bankers Conclave 3.0 in Aizawl, which focused on financing major projects and improving institutional credit access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and women’s self-help groups across the eight northeastern states.
