DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday sought central support for major infrastructure projects, including an AIIMS, IIT, Greenfield Airport, Foothill Road and railway expansion, while highlighting the state’s progress in sustainable development, governance reforms and human capital development at the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi.
According to a DIPR report, Rio reaffirmed Nagaland’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and highlighted achievements in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the state has emerged as a national leader in SDG-5 (Gender Equality). He also informed the council that Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur were among the top 10 performers in the Northeast District SDG Index 2.0.
Rio highlighted governance reforms, including SDG-linked budgeting, gender budgeting and outcome-based budgeting to improve transparency, accountability and evidence-based planning.
On women-led development, he cited initiatives such as the Innovation Seed Fund for nano women entrepreneurs and the Pink Scooty Taxi programme, along with efforts promoting water resilience, bamboo-based value chains and the green economy.
Focusing on youth empowerment, he outlined initiatives under the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission, Nagaland Apprenticeship and Placement Exchange, Chief Minister’s STEM Incentive Programme, Academic Excellence Corpus and Open Learning Support Scheme.
He also highlighted fiscal reforms, including modernisation of land revenue systems, e-Stamping, e-GRAS digital revenue platforms and the establishment of a revenue and development fund mobilisation cell.
In agriculture, Rio stressed the need for stronger food processing and post-harvest infrastructure while highlighting efforts to promote coffee cultivation and high-value horticultural crops such as kiwi, persimmon, dragon fruit, avocado and pineapple.
The chief minister underscored the role of tourism and culture in economic growth, citing the contribution of the Hornbill Festival and Mini Hornbill Festivals in generating livelihoods while promoting Naga cultural heritage.
Speaking on the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” Rio highlighted initiatives in education, skilling, sports and digital governance, including lighthouse school complexes, the Smile App for teacher attendance monitoring, vocational education programmes, AI-skilling initiatives and the proposed AI research centre in Kohima. He also highlighted sports programmes such as the “Catch Them Young, Teach Them Right” tournament, the Nagaland Super League and the expansion of sports infrastructure across districts.
Seeking continued support from the Centre, Rio proposed key projects including the Foothill Road (Trans-Nagaland Highway), Greenfield Airport at Ciethu, establishment of AIIMS and IIT in Nagaland, development of Nagaki City, railway expansion, resumption of oil and natural gas exploration, inland waterways development, urban flyovers, promotion of agarwood cultivation and strengthening of power transmission infrastructure.
Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the meeting, Rio said the deliberations would strengthen cooperative federalism and contribute to building a stronger and more resilient India.
