By NE NOW NEWS
Aizawl: The North Eastern Council (NEC) invested Rs 339.06 crore in development projects across Mizoram during the 15th Finance Commission period (2022–26), with funding directed towards infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, education and connectivity.
According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the expenditure was made under the Schemes of NEC (SoNEC) and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS-Roads).
Of the total allocation, Rs 123.83 crore was spent under the SoNEC programme on projects aimed at improving public infrastructure and generating livelihood opportunities across the state.
The initiatives covered sectors including healthcare, veterinary services, market infrastructure, education, sports, culture and community development.
The NEC also supported agriculture and allied sectors through projects focused on wet rice cultivation, potato seed production, fisheries, piggery, poultry, livestock development, areca nut cultivation and passion fruit processing.
Tourism and cultural preservation formed another major area of investment, with funding provided for cultural heritage centres, ecological parks, tourism circuits and related infrastructure to promote eco-tourism and cultural tourism in the state.
In the road sector, six projects worth Rs 277.99 crore were sanctioned under the NESIDS-Roads programme during the 15th Finance Commission period. Two of these projects, valued at Rs 25.19 crore, have already been completed.
Among the key connectivity projects is the upgradation of the Saiha–Lungbun–Tlangnuam–Haka Road, which is expected to strengthen connectivity between southern Mizoram and the Myanmar border. The NEC said the project aligns with the objectives of India’s Act East Policy.
The Council also expanded youth engagement and scientific outreach initiatives during 2025–26.
Under the Ashtalakshmi Youth Exchange Programme, 581 students from different parts of the country visited premier institutions in the Northeast. Mizoram University hosted 44 students from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep in January 2026.
Meanwhile, 99 students from Mizoram participated in the NE-SPARKS (North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach and Knowledge on Space) initiative, under which 786 students from across the Northeast visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to promote scientific awareness and innovation.
The NEC further released funds in April 2026 for several ongoing projects in Mizoram, including livestock rearing support in the Sinlung Hills Council area, establishment of a State Veterinary Information and Resource Centre, construction of a market building at West Phaileng in Mamit district, and tourism development works at Vangchhia in Champhai district under the “Our Heritage, Our Treasure” initiative.
Additionally, Rs 20.09 crore was released under the NESIDS-Roads programme for ongoing road infrastructure projects, including the Pukzing–Silsury Road and the Tualpui–Champhai Road.