Nirmala Sitharaman boosts Nagaland capital investment, unveils SASCI projects in Phek, Zunheboto

Guwahati: Nagaland’s capital investment efforts received a boost on November 15 as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman virtually inaugurated two projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI): a multipurpose hall in Phek and a guest house for administrative officers in Zunheboto.

The announcement came during her visit to Chumoukedima, where she also held a review meeting with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers TR Zeliang and Y Patton, and senior state officials.

The meeting focused on the progress of SASCI projects, which the Centre considers crucial for accelerating infrastructure development in smaller and underserved regions.

Sitharaman said her visit centered on assessing development indicators in Kiphire, an Aspirational District, reviewing progress in health, education, nutrition, agriculture, and women’s empowerment.

She noted the Centre’s strong focus on the Northeast, highlighting that Union Ministers have collectively visited the region over 700 times, and the Prime Minister has made more than 70 trips, reflecting sustained government priority for regional development.

Addressing concerns about road conditions, she said the National Highways Authority of India now enforces stricter quality monitoring and can blacklist contractors who fail to meet standards.

She added that post-monsoon road damage is a nationwide challenge and that long-term solutions are being implemented.

On financial inclusion, Sitharaman said banking access in Nagaland has expanded significantly, reducing the number of villages without banking facilities from over 1,153 to just 15.

Efforts are ongoing to cover the remaining settlements, which she said is essential for welfare delivery and local enterprise.

Sitharaman concluded by reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to supporting Nagaland’s capital investment through SASCI, describing the scheme as a key driver of infrastructure-led growth in the state.