DoNER Minister reviews projects
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2026: Dr Sukanta Majumdar, MoS DoNER and Ministry of Education undertook a two-day visit to Manipur on September 17 and 18 and reviewed the progress of key developmental projects.

During the visit, he called on the Governor and Chief Minister, visited a flagship infrastructure project site, and interacted with beneficiaries of MDoNER schemes.

DoNER Minister reviews projects

Courtesy call on Governor and Chief Minister

On arrival at Imphal, Dr Sukanta Majumdar paid a courtesy call on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Lok Bhavan, followed by a call on Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the CM Secretariat, Babupara.

During both meetings, discussions centred on key developmental initiatives and ongoing projects in Manipur, with particular emphasis on strengthening inter-Governmental coordination for their timely implementation, along with other developmental and administrative matters concerning the State and the North East region.

Review meeting with Chief Secretary

Dr Majumdar chaired a review meeting with the Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries of various line departments at the Civil Secretariat, Man-tripukhri.

The meeting took stock of the status of various projects being implemented in Manipur under MDoNER and the North Eastern Council (NEC), besides invest- ment initiatives in the State.

The Minister called for closer coordination between the State Government and the Ministry to ensure speedy and effective execution of ongoing schemes and projects for the benefit of the people of Manipur.

Interaction with beneficiaries under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

The Minister proceeded to Andro, Imphal East, where he attended the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme, "Aashirwad Ka Diya" (Lamp of Blessings), and interacted with villagers, local representatives and beneficiaries of DoNER schemes in the area.

Lighting a lamp to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and commemorate his 25 years of public service, along with interactions with villagers and beneficiaries of various Government schemes and an interaction programme with students, were the highlights of the event.

The event organised by the Planning Department was also attended by Andro AC MLA Th Shyamkumar, Planning Director Dr RK Radhesana, Joint Secretary of Ministry of DoNER Dharanvir Jha, Andro village chief Sagolsem Chandra and social worker Th Babita among others.

Addressing the function, the MoS said the sanctioned amount under PM DevINE are for various projects, including the Manipur Technical University; super-speciality healthcare facilities in remote and hill districts; the 60-bedded State Mental Hospital at Lamphel; infrastructure development of Dhanamanjuri University; infrastructure development of Manipur University of Culture at Wakha; the Manipur International Convention Centre in Imphal; development of a processing zone for the Manipur IT SEZ at Mantripukhri; and an Artist Village for Longpi black pottery.

He also said that Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for the renovation of historical monuments in Manipur, while Rs 5.36 crore has been earmarked for the development of the eco-tourism park at Andro.

Majumdar said the Government of India (GoI) has been working to promote Sagol Kangjei (polo), while acknowledging Manipur as a sports powerhouse of the country.

The MoS emphasised that the Ministry of DoNER remains firmly committed to fast-tracking priority economic sectors and infrastructure initiatives to ensure tangible and long-term development across the broader North Eastern region.

Majumdar further said that the Ministry of DoNER is actively executing a wide array of infrastructure and social initiatives, many of which have already been successfully completed on the ground.

The MoS also said that the development of a country depends on its students and called for providing them with quality education.

He went on to state that the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 cannot be realised without the active participation of the youth, adding that every individual has a responsibility to contribute to the development of the country.

The MoS further said that the Government of India has so far taken up 2,730 projects under the Ministry of DoNER at a total cost of Rs 27,963 crore, while initiatives are underway to take up another 3,746 new projects.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the earlier neglect of the North East has been replaced by a strategic focus on the region.

The Prime Minister has categorised the eight North Eastern States as "Ashta Lakshmi"-the eight forms of wealth and prosperity-and recognised the region as India's gateway to South East Asia, he added.

Visit to PM-DevINE project site

On the second day of his visit, Dr Majumdar, accompanied by Dharmvir Jha, Statistical Advisor, MDoNER and Dr RK Radhesana Devi Director, Planning Department, visited the PM-DevINE project site at Mantripukhri, Imphal, to review the development of infrastructure for the Processing Zone of the Manipur Information Technology Special Economic Zone (IT SEZ) .

The project is envisioned as a key enabler of IT growth, entrepreneurship, investment and employment opportunities for the youth of Manipur.

The Minister's visit was attended by senior officers of the State Government, including officials of the Planning Department, and concluded with his departure from Imphal on September 18 .