After a delay of over a decade, state chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio formally commissioned the long-awaited Rs 26.26 crore water supply project at Chiephobozou RD Block and also inaugurated tourism-related infrastructure Tuesday at Tuophema tourist village.
The inauguration ceremony of the water supply project, held at Zhadima village, marked the completion of a vital infrastructure project targeting nine water-stressed villages.
The project was sanctioned in 2009 under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Dr. Rio commended the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), engineers, officers, contractors, and community leaders for their persistence despite prolonged delays.
“Though the project took time, its commissioning marks the beginning of better days,” he said. He also acknowledged the relative water abundance in Southern Angami, which allowed some extensions of water pipelines. However, he noted that plans to tap water from Dzükou Valley had to be shelved due to technical limitations.
Highlighting disparities, he said the Northern Angami region continues to face an acute water crisis, with most villages lacking dedicated water supply systems. While Tuophema sources water from a reserved forest, other sources in the region are fast depleting.
He emphasized the importance of preserving catchment areas, particularly those provided by Nerhema and Zhadima villages.
Rio also used the occasion to voice concern over a growing trend in society: “People now fight not for jobs, but for posts that provide salaries without any work. Is that a good thing?” he asked, urging the public to rise above entitlement and embrace a culture of competition and diligence.
PHED minister Jacob Zhimomi, who hosted the event, described the project as a “happy occasion” for the beneficiary villages. He acknowledged that the state’s hilly terrain and limited resources remain major challenges in achieving equitable access to drinking water.
Zhimomi also highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), noting that while the current project is a milestone, Nagaland has yet to reach 100% household tap water coverage. “We are continuously appealing to the Centre for more support,” he said.
He advised that households yet to be covered should approach their respective Village Councils through WATSAN Committees and formally apply to the department—a process already in practice. The department, he said, is working to implement cluster-based systems to efficiently serve multiple villages together.
Pointing to the environmental aspect of the water crisis, Zhimomi said unregulated development is contributing to the depletion of water sources and stressed the need to strike a balance between development and ecology.
PHED chief engineer Er. L. Leyang Khiamniungan presented a detailed technical report on the project, titled “Providing Water Supply to 24 Villages under Chiephobozou RD Block”. The project was originally envisioned as a gravity-based system but had to be redesigned due to inadequate discharge from the initial source in Western Kohima.
The revised system draws water from the Vithorü source through a pumping mechanism. However, due to elevation differences and discharge limitations, only 9 out of the 24 targeted villages could be directly covered.
These include Tsiesema Basa, Zhadima, Nerhe Phezha, Nerhema, Nerhe Model, Chiephobozou, Chiechama, Nachama, and Botsa. The remaining 15 villages continue to rely on independent local water sources.
Infrastructure developed under the project includes intake structures, pumping mains, water treatment plants, an 11-million-litre balancing reservoir, and a comprehensive distribution network.
“After years of anticipation, this system will finally provide a reliable supply to the nine villages from Vithorü, while the remaining will continue to function on independently sourced systems,” he stated.
The commissioning programme was chaired by PHED & Coordination commissioner and secretary Orenthung Lotha. The event began with a prayer by Tsiesema Baptist Church pastor Lhoukuolie Khro, followed by brief speeches from the chairmen of Zhadima and Nerhema village councils.
PHE executive engineer Er. Subongyanger delivered the vote of thanks. Earlier, Chief Minister Rio and Minister Zhimomi unveiled a commemorative plaque at the project site.
Tourism infra at Tuophema: Later in the afternoon, Rio also inaugurated a separate water project under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) at Tuophema Tourist Village, accompanied by PHED minister Jacob Zhimomi.
The project, titled “Development of Tourism-Related Infrastructure at Tuophema Tourist Village, Kohima District”, was sanctioned in 2019 at a cost of Rs 23.13 crore. Physical work began in December 2019.
Designed to enhance tourism facilities, the project addresses the need for a reliable drinking water system for both the residents and tourist amenities in Tuophema and Tuophe Phezou. Prior to this intervention, the tourist village relied on natural stream sources, which were inadequate and unsustainable.
Water sources and supply status: The water supply for the scheme is drawn from two spring sources—Kezekherü (12,000 litres/day) and Thorü (6,018 litres/day)—located 3–4 km from the main reservoir. Water is transported using 40mm, 32mm, and 25mm diameter pipelines.
Current distribution from the main reservoir is as follows: Tuophema Bawe: 4,600 litres/day (a. 2,600 + b. 2,000), Tuophema Basa: 9,400 litres/day and Tourist Resort: 4,108 litres/day.
Despite this supply, Tuophema’s location atop a hill presents long-term sustainability challenges. Over time, both natural causes (climate variability) and human-induced pressures (land use changes, deforestation) have led to declining discharge from the springs, raising concerns about future availability.
The Tuophema commissioning event was again chaired by commissioner and secretary Orenthung Lotha. Pastor Gelhou Seyie of Tuophema Baptist Church delivered the invocation, while Tuophema Village Council chairman Pfuduolhou Kense delivered a short address. The vote of thanks was offered by PHE executive engineer Er. Subongyanger.