Guwahati: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Monday inaugurated the North Eastern Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati and laid the foundation stones for a series of major development projects worth Rs 635 crore across Assam, the Ministry of DoNER said in an official statement.
The newly announced projects aim to boost connectivity, education, and industrial growth across the state. These include the construction of 65 new secondary school buildings at a cost of Rs 455 crore, the upgradation of the Chayagaon–Ukium road with an investment of Rs 102.69 crore, and the construction of an RCC bridge at Silonijan-Dhansiri Par Ghat for Rs 20.59 crore. Two new industrial estates – at Ramphalbil in Kokrajhar (Rs 14.40 crore) and Lakhibazar in Baksa (Rs 18.40 crore) – will also come up under this initiative.
Speaking at the event, Scindia said that each project symbolises a step toward fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Assam. “Every brick laid and every classroom built is a promise kept in the service of aspiration,” he said, adding that these initiatives reflect the Centre’s focus on empowering the Northeast through infrastructure and innovation.
The newly launched North Eastern Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster – established with an investment of Rs 22.98 crore – is envisioned as a key driver of the region’s innovation ecosystem. The centre will promote local talent and research in four verticals: Grassroots Innovation; Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence; Bamboo-Based Technologies; and Biodegradable Plastics. The NEST cluster will also work in synergy with DoNER’s youth-oriented programmes such as NE-SPARKS and Ashtalakshmi Darshan, which facilitate scientific exchange between Northeastern and other Indian students.
During his visit, Scindia interacted with IIT Guwahati students and researchers exhibiting projects on next-generation technologies, including 6G communication, bamboo tissue culture, low-field MRI systems for affordable healthcare, and biodegradable polymers. Reviewing the latter, he remarked, “If you get this going, it will be the future,” appreciating the students’ commitment to sustainable innovation.
Highlighting Assam’s growing importance as a regional innovation hub, Scindia said the state, long regarded as the gateway to India’s eastern development, is now emerging as the nucleus of a “Viksit Purvottar” – a developed Northeast. He emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the region has transitioned from being “landlocked to land-linked and future-ready.”
Over Rs 6.2 lakh crore has been invested in the Northeast under the 10 per cent Gross Budgetary Support policy, he said, citing major infrastructure projects such as the Bogibeel Bridge, Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Sela Tunnel, and Jogighopa Multi-Modal Logistics Park that have reshaped Assam’s connectivity. He also pointed out that the Act East Policy has reduced travel time between Kolkata and Agartala from 31 hours to just 10 hours through enhanced connectivity with Bangladesh.
The minister further noted that Prime Minister Modi recently launched new development projects worth Rs 6,500 crore in Darrang and Rs 18,530 crore across Assam, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to comprehensive growth in health, education, energy, and industrial sectors.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Assam government, representatives of educational institutions, and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial communities.
