ITANAGAR, Sep 3: The North Eastern Council (NEC) has given a major development push to Arunachal Pradesh with the completion of projects worth Rs 82.41 crore and release of nearly Rs 15 crore for ongoing initiatives during July and August 2026, an official communique from the NEC said on Thursday.
The projects, implemented under the Scheme of NEC (SoNEC) and NESIDS-Roads, cover key sectors including healthcare, education, road connectivity, sustainable agriculture, rural infrastructure and tourism.
Among the major projects was the upgradation of the 40-bedded hospital at Likabali in Lower Siang district at an approved cost of Rs 14.38 crore. The upgraded facility includes maternity and labour wards, a modular operation theatre, emergency and diagnostic equipment and a blood bank.
The NEC also completed the construction of boys’ and girls’ hostels at Roing in Lower Dibang Valley at a cost of Rs 5.17 crore, along with community infrastructure projects in Hunli-Desali and Taliha CD Blocks. Development of the Tissa View Point in Tirap district, sanctioned at Rs 1.80 crore, was also completed.
Under sustainable livelihood initiatives, a 200-hectare bamboo plantation project in West Siang was completed at a cost of Rs 2.19 crore, while an orange and cardamom plantation project in Nacho circle was also completed.
Under NESIDS-Roads, two major road projects costing Rs 39.29 crore were completed, including a 7.2-km double-lane road connecting Pokriana SDO headquarters with Lanrgh and adjoining areas, benefiting 62 villages and over 16,000 people. Another road link connecting Kodum circle has strengthened connectivity among West Siang, Leparada, Siang and Shi-Yomi districts, benefiting more than 1.12 lakh people.
During the two-month period, the NEC also released nearly Rs 15 crore for ongoing projects, including Rs 6.08 crore under SoNEC and Rs 8.82 crore under NESIDS-Roads. The funding includes projects for hostels in Tawang and Roing, preservation of indigenous mother tongues, an organic turmeric processing and packaging centre in Pakke Kessang, and the 21-km Amuli NH-313 to Athuni road via Leyaka Pass in Anini.
The NEC also supported research initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh, including studies by Rajiv Gandhi University on the Vibrant Villages Programme and emerging AI technologies, besides NERIST research on bamboo charcoal composites for radar-absorbent materials.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving access to essential services and promoting sustainable livelihoods and research-driven development in the frontier State, officials said.