SHILLONG | The North Eastern Council (NEC) released Rs 79.53 crore for development projects across the region in October, with Assam receiving Rs 14.79 crore for initiatives covering rural connectivity, infrastructure, livelihood promotion and heritage conservation.

According to an NEC statement, Meghalaya received the highest allocation among the eight northeastern states at Rs 26.56 crore. Sikkim was allocated Rs 15.51 crore, Arunachal Pradesh Rs 11.18 crore and Nagaland Rs 7.99 crore. Tripura received Rs 3.50 crore, while funding was also extended to projects in Manipur and Mizoram.

The allocation for Assam covers rural road connectivity, including the Mangaldoi-Mazikuchi link and the Bogamati-Umananda route via Naobandha and Khaagrabari. Funds have also been provided for an RCC bridge in Udalguri, a 20,000-litre dairy processing plant at Patacharkuchi, support for Deori tribal weavers in Lakhimpur and the Sepoy Mutiny War Memorial at Hailakandi.

Alongside the fresh releases, the NEC reported progress in several completed projects in Assam. The Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI) in Jorhat has commissioned an expanded tissue-culture laboratory, increasing its bamboo tissue-culture capacity tenfold from 3,000 to 30,000 plantlets.

Other completed initiatives include 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’s allocation includes substantial support for the 46.08-km Chokpot-Kharukol road under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme-Roads. The project is expected to improve connectivity for 78 villages and more than 15,000 residents. Support was also extended for a multi-disciplinary training-cum-resource centre in Shillong.

Arunachal Pradesh received funds primarily for strategic road connectivity in remote and border areas, while Sikkim’s allocation will support organic agriculture and veterinary heal