Itanagar, May 21: Arunachal Pradesh has received focused developmental support amounting to Rs 550.02 crore during the 15th Finance Commission (2022–26) cycle under the North Eastern Council’s flagship programmes — the Scheme of NEC (SoNEC) and NESIDS-Roads — reflecting sustained efforts to strengthen connectivity, infrastructure and inclusive growth across the State.
According to an official communique, expenditure under the SoNEC in Arunachal Pradesh during the 15th Finance Commission period stood at Rs 205.72 crore. The funds were utilised for infrastructure development, livelihood generation and socio-economic advancement, particularly in remote, border and aspirational districts.
Special emphasis was laid on agriculture and allied sectors through initiatives promoting horticulture, bamboo cultivation, fisheries, beekeeping, organic farming and value-addition activities aimed at improving rural livelihoods and income generation among tribal communities.
NEC-supported projects also contributed to tourism and eco-development through creation of tourism infrastructure, viewpoints, riverfront development and electrification of tourist destinations, enhancing Arunachal Pradesh’s potential as a major eco-tourism destination in the North East.
Under the NESIDS-Roads programme, 10 road projects worth Rs 422.20 crore have been sanctioned for the State, out of which eight projects valued at Rs 162.13 crore have already been completed.
Among the recently completed projects is the BRTF Road to Pidi in West Siang district, which has significantly improved last-mile connectivity and access to remote tribal habitations.
During the financial year 2025–26, NEC sanctioned and completed several major infrastructure initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh. These include the construction of a supermarket-cum-parking place at Kharsang in Changlang district and the completion of the 16.5-km road from Kodum CO Headquarters to Bam Tri-junction in West Siang district under NESIDS-Roads.
The Kodum–Bam Tri-junction road project is expected to improve connectivity for four villages with a combined population of over 1.12 lakh people. Strategically important, the road is expected to reduce the distance between Itanagar and 10 administrative centres across West Siang, Shi Yomi and Siang districts by nearly 36 kms. The improved connectivity is anticipated to enhance mobility, improve access to essential services and accelerate socio-economic development in the region.
The NEC also expanded its youth outreach and scientific engagement initiatives during 2025–26 through programmes such as the Ashtalakshmi Youth Exchange Programme and NE-SPARKS.
Under the Ashtalakshmi Youth Exchange Programme, 581 students from universities and colleges across the country visited premier institutions in the North Eastern Region. Among them, 87 students from Goa, Uttarakhand, Puducherry and Jharkhand visited Rajiv Gandhi University.
In another key initiative, the North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) enabled 786 students from the eight North Eastern states to visit Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facilities during 2025–26. Arunachal Pradesh alone sent 97 students, including 60 girls and 37 boys, under the programme.
Meanwhile, NEC released Rs 3.19 crore for Arunachal Pradesh during April 2026 to support ongoing developmental works, including educational infrastructure projects in Itanagar and Kamki, establishment of an organic turmeric processing and packaging centre in Pakke Kessang district, technology intervention for the Brokpa community in West Kameng district, and fisheries development initiatives in West Siang district.