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DIMAPUR — Niuland District GBs’ Association (NDGBA) has submitted proposal for infrastructure development in the newly created district to the Union minister of state for Power and Heavy Industries, Krishnan Pal Gurjar, during his recent visit to Niuland on January 6.
The proposal was submitted by its president, Isawoto Zhimomi, Head GB of Nikhekhu village, along with other officials, an update from media cell of the association stated.
The proposals included upgradation of 11/33 kv existing domestic line to higher capacity and dedicated industrial power line in the state, presently not available in the state for industrial usage, to meet the power demands of special development zone in Niuland district. It highlighted that the plains of Niuland, which is close to commercial capital Dimapur, is the last plain foothill area before entry into hill section towards south East Asian countries with international aerial distance to Myanmar only 80 km.
With recently constructed good quality road connectivity coupled with airport and railway station within 30 minutes drive, it mentioned that the new district has immense economic strategic importance towards actual implementation of the Act East Policy of the country as natural inherent potential launching pad for industrial and commerce hub into South East Asia.
The minister was informed that the first large scale tea factory industry in the region has been set up at Nikhekhu village in 2021 with licence from Tea Board of India.
The association requested for public sector units (PSU) under GoI to establish heavy industrial verticals (automotive/ agri/ petrochemical/ capital goods etc.) in the region and assured that it would facilitate all land requirements needed and much needed social security to make it a safe and productive plug in investment with zero risk in consultation with other Naga industrialists, who have experience in ground zero for effective long-term operations meeting the economies of scales.
It also stressed on the urgent need for setting up and reviving of hydro power project in Zubza River (Ato ghoki) under the chief engineer of Power department, Government of Nagaland. It pointed out that the initial DPR and technical feasibility report was completed in 2007 by professional firms with all land clearances (NOC), study of river water flow, capacity installation, terrain feasibility including catchment areas civil work of the reservoir in the foothills under Kuhoxu and Nikhekhu villages.
The association stated that the purpose of the reservoir was to provide drinking water to growing Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts as well as serves as irrigation facilities in the plains. It, however, stated that the project was kept on hold due to some minor differences. The association has urged the minister to revive the project.
It pointed out that the implementation of hydro power project would cater the power deficits of the state and create employment opportunities for the youth besides strengthening the nation’s overall vision of grassroots development towards making the Act East Policy into a practical reality.