Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday sought support for 14 key priorities during an interaction with Chief Ministers of Northeastern states convened by NITI Aayog in New Delhi, highlighting Nagaland’s needs in areas ranging from fiscal sustainability and connectivity to healthcare, education and economic development.
Expressing gratitude to NITI Aayog for its continued support to Nagaland through initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, Sampoornata Abhiyan and the Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT), Rio said the state continues to face fiscal and infrastructural challenges as a resource-constrained and revenue-deficit state.
Among the key demands raised by the Chief Minister was provision of annual Special Grants during the award period of the Sixteenth Finance Commission. Expressing concern over the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants, Rio said the support was necessary to ensure fiscal sustainability and continuity of essential public services.
Connectivity featured prominently in the Chief Minister’s presentation. Rio sought support for the Foothill Road (Trans-Nagaland Highway), development of short landing strips at strategic locations to strengthen air connectivity, extension of the Dimapur–Zubza railway line up to Kohima, early sanction of the Dimapur–Tizit Railway Project and development of inland waterways in the state.
To address growing traffic congestion and urbanisation challenges, Rio also requested support for construction of flyovers and elevated corridors in Dimapur, Kohima and Chümoukedima.
He further sought special consideration for development of core infrastructure for the proposed Nagaki City in Chümoukedima district, which he described as a major economic transformation initiative.
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In the education and healthcare sectors, the Chief Minister sought establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Nagaland, strengthening of tertiary healthcare infrastructure and financial assistance for the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima.
Rio also sought support for expansion of coffee cultivation, promotion of agarwood-based livelihoods, implementation of hydroelectric projects and enhancement of sports infrastructure and youth development programmes across the state.
The Chief Minister also informed the gathering about the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving Nagaland, Assam and the Government of India to facilitate mineral oil operations in the disputed area belt along the Assam–Nagaland border. He expressed optimism that the initiative would unlock economic opportunities and contribute to the country’s energy security.
Rio further stated that efforts are underway for the resumption of petroleum and natural gas exploration and production activities in Nagaland.
Reaffirming Nagaland’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Chief Minister said the state looked forward to continued partnership with NITI Aayog, the Government of India and other Northeastern states in advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
(With DIPR inputs)
