DIMAPUR, SEP 2 (NPN): Advisor for Water Resources Tongpang Ozukum has urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to ensure timely release of funds for water infrastructure projects, citing the state’s short working season and implementation challenges. Ozukum raised the issues at the Jal Shakti Departmental Summit held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 1 and 2, 2026.
He said Nagaland implements only Minor Irrigation projects and therefore faces relatively fewer challenges related to land acquisition, contractual and project management issues, design modifications and inter-state or inter-agency coordination. However, he said timely release of funds remains a major concern.
Since the state’s effective working season is limited to about six months, from November to April, advisor stressed that timely funding was essential for completing projects within schedule.
Ozukum also suggested that the audit certificate required every nine months be allowed once every two years, saying the existing requirement posed a challenge for the department.
On the SNA-SPARSH module, which enables real-time monitoring of fund releases and expenditure and improves financial transparency and accountability, he requested that mother sanctions be released in a maximum of two instalments annually. Further, advisor suggested that Surface Minor Irrigation projects approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee need not be re-approved in subsequent years.
Ozukum called for provision for price escalation in projects delayed at the commencement stage and resulting in cost overruns, saying this would help avoid changes in scope and maintain work quality. He also proposed increasing the development cost ceiling for Minor Irrigation projects from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh per hectare to address implementation challenges.
On flood management projects, Ozukum said Nagaland had not received a single Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) project for more than a decade despite submitting four proposals. He urged the ministry to sanction at least one project for the state during the current financial year.
He also highlighted erosion concerns along the Chathe River in Chümoukedima, Tuli town in Mokokchung and Naginimora in Mon. He urged the ministry to allow both conventional and non-conventional methods for anti-erosion works based on local requirements.
At the summit, Ozukum also highlighted the Nagaland Strategic Water Resilience Initiative for 2026-27, aimed at strengthening water security.
He said the state receives heavy monsoon rainfall but faces acute water shortages during the lean season because of its hilly terrain and high runoff.
To address the problem, he said the state has adopted farm ponds as micro water-harvesting structures under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. Ozukum said the initiative would support rural livelihoods and ecosystems while promoting water conservation, storage, groundwater recharge and improved water management.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory session of the summit which was attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, ministers from states and union territories and officials.
