DIMAPUR, JUN 4 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on Thursday sought special financial assistance from the Centre and pressed for major infrastructure, connectivity and economic development projects during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong.
According to a DIPR report, Rio outlined Nagaland’s developmental priorities and policy interventions aimed at achieving the vision of Viksit Nagaland @2047.
Highlighting the state’s fiscal challenges following the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants under the 16th Finance Commission, Rio urged the Centre to provide annual special grants during the award period to ensure fiscal stability and continuity of governance and public service delivery.
The chief minister reiterated the state’s demand for the proposed 364-km Trans-Nagaland Highway (Foothill Road), describing it as a transformative project that would improve connectivity, economic activity and access to essential services across seven districts. He sought central support for land compensation to facilitate its declaration as a National Highway.
On air connectivity, Rio noted that Kohima remains the only state capital in the country without an operational airport. He said the government was pursuing phased development of airstrips at Ciethu, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang while continuing efforts to establish a full-fledged airport at Ciethu.
Rio also announced that the state would soon submit a proposal for an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at the proposed Nagaki City in Chümoukedima district. He renewed Nagaland’s demand for a greenfield AIIMS and sought support for strengthening the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima.
The chief minister highlighted plans for Nagaki City, a proposed 39sq km greenfield incubation city in Chathe valley envisioned as a hub for education, healthcare, innovation and economic growth. He sought central assistance for development of core infrastructure. Seeking improved railway connectivity, Rio called for extension of the Dimapur-Kohima railway project beyond Zubza into Kohima city and eventually to Imphal, while urging prioritisation of the long-pending Dimapur-Tizit railway line.
He also proposed construction of flyovers and elevated corridors in Kohima, Dimapur and Chümoukedima to ease traffic congestion, besides seeking investments in power transmission and hydropower development.
On economic growth, Rio stressed diversification of agriculture through expansion of plantation crops such as coffee and agarwood. He said the state aims to increase coffee cultivation from 12,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares by 2047.
In a post on X, Rio said that, under the guidance of the Union Petroleum Ministry, the governments of Nagaland and Assam held fruitful discussions and made significant progress towards resuming exploration and production activities in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Nagaland-Assam border.
Reaffirming Nagaland’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, Rio said investments in connectivity, infrastructure, education, youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth would be key to building a self-reliant and prosperous state.
State chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen and principal secretary & development commissioner Kikheto Sema also attended the meeting.
Rio presents progress on handloom and handicrafts: State chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on Thursday presented a regional roadmap for transforming the Northeast’s handloom and handicraft sector during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong.
Presenting the deliberations of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on Handlooms and Handicrafts, Rio highlighted the region’s rich artisan base, diverse product ecosystem and vast potential for sustainable economic growth.
He said the Northeast was home to more than 16 lakh artisans, produces nearly all of India’s Muga silk and a significant share of Eri silk, and has over 34 GI-tagged products. Rio said the region also holds substantial potential in natural fibre-based products derived from bamboo, banana, pineapple leaf, cane, nettle and ramie.
Rio, however, noted that outdated technology, inadequate quality-testing infrastructure, fragmented supply chains and limited market access continue to constrain the sector’s growth.
The roadmap envisions development of an integrated ecosystem comprising cluster development, skill enhancement, raw material support, Common Facility Centres (CFCs), quality testing facilities and stronger linkages to e-commerce platforms and global markets.
Over the next three years, the initiative aims to train more than 50,000 artisans, establish over 30 CFCs and expand market access through digital and export-oriented strategies. It also targets supporting more than 16 lakh artisans across the region, doubling artisan incomes, generating two lakh additional jobs and achieving exports worth RS.5,000 crore by 2030.
Rio said implementation would be supported through central and state funding as well as private sector participation under the PPP model, with a proposed outlay of Rs.501.70 crore for infrastructure, innovation, skill development and market expansion.
He also stressed the need to build a unified “Brand North East” to enhance the visibility of the region’s craftsmanship in domestic and international markets.
The presentation proposed creation of a high-level steering committee on handlooms and handicrafts to oversee implementation, monitor progress and ensure coordinated execution of the task force’s recommendations across the Northeast.