Road connectivity, delayed hospital construction and the marketing of local products were among the concerns raised by representatives of Longleng during Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav’s visit to the district on October 8.
Yadav held a meeting with district officers and civil society organizations at the DPDB Hall in Longleng as part of his district visit program.
President of the Phom People’s Council, YB Angam Phom, said road connectivity and access to markets remained major challenges for the district, particularly for communities dependent on agriculture and handicrafts.
He said frequent road subsidence and other natural disasters often leave the district headquarters cut off from villages and other towns, affecting economic activity.
Angam also highlighted Longleng’s location as a connecting point for districts in Eastern Nagaland and called for improved roads, infrastructure and economic opportunities to make movement between the districts easier.
He further raised concerns over delays in hospital construction, saying the situation was causing difficulties for people in the district. He also appealed for the timely completion of the Lighthouse (NECTAR) project to improve learning facilities for students.
The Governor, in his address, highlighted Longleng’s potential in agriculture, horticulture, handloom and handicrafts, forest-based livelihoods, tourism and entrepreneurship. He encouraged farmers and young entrepreneurs to explore value addition, food processing, digital marketing and modern agricultural practices to expand the market for local products.
Yadav also stressed the need for better connectivity, healthcare, education and other essential public services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
He encouraged young people to acquire new skills, pursue higher education and explore entrepreneurship, while also calling for the preservation of the Phom community’s cultural heritage and traditional institutions.
The Governor said development required cooperation between the government and the people and urged district stakeholders to work towards community-led development.
Departmental presentations were made by the PWD (R&B), Agriculture & Allied and Medical departments. The program was chaired by ADC Longleng Thungchanbemo Tungoe.