The Niuland District GBs Association (NDGBA) has called for improvement of infrastructure in the new-created Niuland district. According to a statement issued through its media secretary, NDGBA president and head GB of Nikhekhu village Isawoto Zhimomi, along with office-bearers of the association handed over the proposals in this regard to Union Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries Krishnan Pal Gurjar with additional PS Vikas Shukla on January 6.
The proposals included upgradation of 11/33 kv existing domestic line to higher capacity and dedicated industrial power line in the state, which was presently not available for industrial usage, to meet the power demand of special development zone in Niuland district.
It further highlighted that the plains of Niuland close to commercial capital Dimapur was the last plain foothill area before entry into hill section and towards South East Asian countries with international aerial distance to Myanmar being only 80 km.
The association pointed out that the airport and railway station now being just 30 minutes away with the recently-constructed road, the district held immense economic importance vis-à-vis implementation of Act East policy, as a natural launching pad for industrial and commerce ties with the South East Asia.
The minister was informed that first tea factory of the region was set up at Nikhekhu village in Niuland district in 2021 (Atoqa Tea Producer Ltd) with 5 lakh kg tea produced with licence from Tea Board of India. As existence of industries was an indication that the plain region had an ecosystem required to facilitate heavy industrial growth, the association requested Central public sector units (PSUs) to take initiatives for setting up heavy industrial verticals such as automotive, agri, petrochemicals, capital goods, etc, in the area.
The association assured to facilitate land requirements and ensure social security to make it a safe and productive plug in investment with zero risk in consultation with other Naga industrialists who had experience on ground zero for effective long-term operations meeting the economies of scales.
The association also called for setting up and reviving hydro power project in Zubza river (Ato ghoki) whose initial detailed project report (DPR) and technical feasibility report were 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 foothills under Kuhoxu and Nikhekhu villages. The reservoir was to provide drinking water to Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland district and irrigation in the plains.
However, as the project was kept on hold due to some minor differences, the association requested that the project be revived, assuring that it would make all efforts to facilitate its execution.
The association said the hydro power project would also cater to power deficits of the state, while its close proximity to the plains catering to the power needs of industries would be a game changer vis-à-vis the vision of New Nagaland, creating employment opportunities for the youth and strengthening nation’s overall vision of grassroots development, thereby making the Act East policy a practical reality. The association said it would also proactively pursue with the state government with regard to the proposals to be forwarded to the Centre for their effective implementation.