By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 4: The Sohra Circuit in Meghalaya and the Matabari Circuit in Tripura are being developed as pilot tourism projects, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M Scindia announced this while chairing the Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of DoNER at the Parliament House Annexe.
Stating that the foundation stone for the Sohra Circuit has already been laid, while Tripura’s Matabari Circuit is in the final stages of approval, Scindia said the projects will not only improve infrastructure but also emphasise capacity building to ensure a pool of skilled manpower that can enhance tourism services and visitor experience.
Calling PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North East Region) the Ministry’s most significant programme, the DoNER minister noted that it was first introduced in the Union Budget of 2022-23.
The scheme has an approved outlay of Rs 6,600 crore for the period 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Up to 31 October, 2025, 44 projects worth around Rs 5,700 crore have been sanctioned. Of these, three projects valued at about Rs 176 crore have been completed, while 41 projects worth nearly Rs 5,500 crore are under way. Additionally, projects worth Rs 111 crore have received in-principle approval, and more proposals amounting to Rs 625 crore are in the pipeline.
The ministry is thus on track to fully utilise the scheme’s allocated funds.
