Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday inaugurated the North Eastern Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 635 crore across Assam.
The projects, spanning education, connectivity and industrial development, are aimed at strengthening Assam’s position as a centre of innovation and infrastructure in the Northeast. The event was attended by senior officials from the Assam government, representatives of educational institutions and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial community.
Scindia laid the foundation stone for several projects, including the construction of 65 new secondary school buildings worth Rs 455 crore, the upgradation of the Chayagaon–Ukium Road at Rs 102.69 crore, an RCC bridge at Silonijan–Dhansiri Par Ghat costing Rs 20.59 crore, and the development of industrial estates at Ramphalbil in Kokrajhar and Lakhibazar in Baksa valued at Rs 14.40 crore and Rs 18.40 crore respectively. He said these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and added, “Every brick laid and every classroom built is a promise kept in the service of aspiration.”
The NEST Cluster, established at IIT Guwahati with an investment of Rs 22.98 crore, will act as a regional hub for research and innovation, focusing on grassroots innovation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, bamboo-based technologies and biodegradable plastics. It will work alongside DoNER’s youth-focused programmes such as NE-SPARKS and Ashtalakshmi Darshan, designed to promote scientific collaboration and cultural exchange.
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During his visit to IIT Guwahati, Scindia interacted with students and researchers showcasing innovations in 6G communication, biodegradable polymers, bamboo tissue culture and low-field MRI systems for affordable healthcare. He also met rural women from Kamrup who completed training in biodegradable toy manufacturing under the NEST initiative and unveiled the NEST Cluster logo designed by women trained in sustainable toy production.
Scindia said the Northeast has seen major transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with more than Rs 6.2 lakh crore invested in the region through the Gross Budgetary Support policy. He referred to key connectivity projects such as the Bogibeel Bridge, Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Sela Tunnel and Jogighopa Multi-Modal Logistics Park, saying these have redefined Assam’s infrastructure landscape.
He also pointed to new trade and transport links with Bangladesh under the Act East Policy, which have cut travel time between Kolkata and Agartala from 31 hours to just 10. Scindia noted that recent projects worth Rs 6,500 crore in Darrang and Rs 18,530 crore across Assam reflect the Centre’s broader focus on development in health, education, energy and industry.
Describing Assam as “the heartbeat of a rising Northeast,” he said the state continues to play a leading role in the region’s growth story and expressed confidence that innovation, education and enterprise will drive its progress in the years ahead.
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