Guwahati, Nov. 3: Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday inaugurated the North Eastern Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT-Guwahati, and laid the foundation stone for transformative development projects worth Rs 635 crore across Assam.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Assam government, representatives of educational institutions, and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial community.
Speaking on the occasion, Scindia described Assam as “the heartbeat of a rising Northeast, where the mighty Brahmaputra flows as a symbol of continuity, courage and creativity.”
He said Assam, long the gateway to India’s eastern renaissance, is now emerging as the innovation and connectivity hub of a Viksit Purvottar.
The minister laid the foundation stone for projects totalling Rs 635 crore, aimed at catalysing growth, connectivity and opportunity across Assam — strengthening its role as the gateway to Southeast Asia.
The key projects include: infrastructure development of 65 new secondary school buildings (Rs 455 crore); upgrade of Chayagaon–Ukium Road (Rs 102.69 crore); RCC bridge at Silonijan–Dhansiri Par Ghat (Rs 20.59 crore); development of industrial estate at Ramphalbil, Kokrajhar (Rs 14.40 crore) and development of industrial estate at Lakhibazar, Baksa (Rs18.40 crore)
Highlighting the human impact, Scindia said, “Every brick laid and every classroom built is a promise kept in the service of aspiration.”
The North Eastern Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster, established with an investment of Rs 22.98 crore, will serve as the nerve centre of the Northeast’s innovation ecosystem — transforming local wisdom into global solutions.
It will focus on four verticals: grassroots innovation; semiconductors and artificial intelligence; bamboo-based technologies and biodegradable plastics.
