Indian government approves 2 Asian Development Bank-funded hydro electric projects in Nagaland

KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed that the Centre has approved two major hydro electric projects (HEPs) in the state – the 42 MW Lower Tizu and 24 MW Zungki – with project costs of INR 541.12 crore and INR 368.53 crore, respectively.

The two projects will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the chief minister said in his Independence Day speech in Kohima on Thursday.

Underscoring the importance of reliable power as a prerequisite for economic development of the state, Rio maintained that his government has taken many initiatives in the generation, transmission and distribution aspects in the power sector.

He also announced that the 2.4 MW Duilumroi Small Hydro Project, which commenced during Financial Year 2020-21, is scheduled for completion by August this year.

In addition, the survey and investigation works for development of Lower Doyang HEP with a capacity ranging from 18 to 24 MW has been initiated, he informed.

Roads and other infrastructures

Maintaining that roads are the lifeline of any economy and the prime movers of economic development, the chief minister said that the state government has been pursuing major projects including construction of Ciethu Airport in Kohima, Dimapur- Tizit railway line, Foothill Road, establishment of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and upgrade of Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR) into a central institute.

He also mentioned about the proposed new incubation city ‘Nagaki’ in Chümoukedima district and declaration of more national highways in the state.

He informed that the PWD (Roads and Bridges), under the North-East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), has completed three projects under Tuensang, Longleng and Noklak districts, covering a total length of 35.12 km amounting to INR 100.58 crore.

During the upcoming year, the department will be implementing many other projects, including eight projects under the NESIDS covering more than 175 km with an approved cost of INR 620 crore.

In addition, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will be supporting 18 projects covering more than 300 km worth more than INR 900 crore, he added.

In the highway sector, Rio said that two-lane widening of a total length of 93.6 km on NH-61 (new NH-2) spanning Wokha and Mokokchung districts, widening of single-lane to intermediate lane from Mokokchung to Chare via Dikhu, covering more than 20 km, and rehabilitation of Dimapur Overbridge on NH-29, are a few of the important projects being undertaken by the Highways department.

The chief minister also mentioned that the construction of the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon under the Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) is progressing at a fast pace. “The project is being undertaken by the North East Council (NEC) and stands as a pioneering effort to preserve the traditional Konyak heritage,” he said.

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) under the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to 91% of target households in the state by early July 2024. Out of a total of 1,548 rural villages/ habitations, a total 64% of villages/habitations have been fully covered with FHTC as on date.

The Start-up Nagaland has fostered entrepreneurship with five incubators, which include one for persons with disabilities (PwDs), and over 970 employment opportunities among Naga indigenous youth have been generated by the start-up ecosystem so far in the state. He also pointed out that of the 200 start-ups that were surveyed, the estimated revenue generated was around INR 58 crore for the Financial Year 2023-2024.

The Department of Information Technology and Communication was stated to have successfully upgraded the Nagaland State Data Centre (NSDC) under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This upgradation has enabled the NSDC to provide more secure and efficient government services, the chief minister said.

Further, Rio informed that the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority has been proactively responding to disasters across the state.