DIMAPUR: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, handed over an extended first-floor classroom facility to Government Primary School, Kevijau Colony, and 40 solar lights to Padum Pukhuri village in Dimapur on October 8, 2026.
According to a DIPR report, the classroom extension project, titled “Extension of Class-room 1st Floor for Government Primary School at Kevijau Colony, Dimapur, Nagaland,” was aimed at strengthening the school’s infrastructure and providing an improved learning environment for students. The 40 solar lights were handed over at Padum Pukhuri Council Hall to improve lighting facilities and promote safer and more sustainable community infrastructure.
Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, NCS, who attended the programmes as the chief guest, appreciated IOCL for its continued support to the people of Nagaland through various CSR initiatives, particularly in education, healthcare and community infrastructure.
At the Kevijau Colony programme, Chang recalled his association with IOCL officials since 2023 and acknowledged the cooperation extended by the residents during discussions on local issues. Highlighting IOCL’s contribution to Nagaland, he said the corporation had undertaken several CSR activities across the state, including initiatives in the health sector. He appreciated IOCL for its role as a responsible corporate entity and said the district administration and people of Dimapur looked forward to continued support in education, healthcare and infrastructure development. He also assured that public welfare requirements would continue to be brought before the corporation for consideration under its CSR initiatives.
At Padum Pukhuri, Chang described the village as one of the best-performing colonies in Dimapur and appreciated its efforts and initiatives. He urged residents to make full use of opportunities available under CSR programmes, noting that IOCL was implementing projects across the country in areas such as healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability and rural development.
He encouraged the community to identify suitable projects for its development and stressed the need for proper care and regular maintenance of the solar lights to ensure their long-term functionality.
Executive Director and State Head, IOAOD SO, Nitin Bhatnagar, who attended the Kevijau Colony programme as the guest of honour, said IOCL was committed to undertaking meaningful initiatives for communities in areas where it operated.
Recalling a meeting held around two years ago at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where the need for developmental support in Kevijau Colony was discussed, Bhatnagar said he had assured that IOCL would take up the request. He expressed satisfaction that the initiative had now been completed and handed over to the beneficiary institution.
He pointed out that Dimapur housed important IOCL facilities, including its depot and LPG plant, from where petroleum products, diesel and LPG were distributed across Nagaland. Given the corporation’s presence in the state, he said IOCL also had a responsibility as a good corporate citizen to contribute to the welfare of local communities. Bhatnagar said IOCL considered requests from villages and communities in Dimapur and other parts of Nagaland, subject to its CSR guidelines and priorities. He added that the corporation undertook initiatives across sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and women’s livelihood and empowerment.
Emphasising IOCL’s philosophy of giving back to society, he said the corporation’s operations were sustained with the support of the people and that contributing to community development was therefore important. Reiterating that “Nation First” remained one of Indian Oil’s core philosophies, he appreciated the business community, elders, religious leaders, colony representatives and members of the public for their cooperation and participation. He also expressed his special association with Nagaland and Dimapur and reaffirmed IOCL’s commitment to supporting developmental initiatives in the state.
Meanwhile, DGM (Operations), IOAODSO, Guwahati, Dipak Pathak, who attended the Padum Pukhuri programme as the guest of honour, said the solar lighting system installed under the project was worth around Rs. 40 lakh and required no major maintenance.
He said beneficiaries only needed to take proper care of the assets to ensure they remained functional and protected. Emphasising that the system belonged to the beneficiaries, Pathak urged the community to take ownership of it. He assured that IOCL management and its teams would remain available to support the community in its basic needs, social activities and other requirements. He also congratulated the beneficiaries on the successful completion of the project.
The Padum Pukhuri programme was chaired by Senior MGR (E), Indian Oil, Dimapur Depot, David Buongui. The welcome address was delivered by Chief MGR (HR-CSR), IOAODSO, Guwahati, Malati Malakar, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Padum Pukhuri chairman Aheto Yeputhomi.
The Kevijau Colony programme included a welcome address by HR-CSR, IOAODSO, followed by the formal handing over of the completed classroom facility to the beneficiary institution. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the beneficiary representative.
Both initiatives reaffirmed IOCL’s commitment to contributing to community development in Nagaland through its CSR activities.