While all states in the North East demand or lobby for establishing foundation for economic development, such as setting up central government offices, institutions or centrally funded projects in their respective states, decision makers in Nagaland appear to be more interested in other matters in this regard.
To drive the engine of economic development, Nagaland has huge hydro power generating potential, over 600 million tonnes of oil and gas reserves. The state Geology and Mining Department estimates that the Nagaland has 492.68 million tonnes of coal reserves.
In addition there are also significant deposits of minerals such as cobalt, limestone, nickel-cobalt-chromium bearing magnetite, marble, clay, slate, dimension and decorative stones building materials.
Recently Power minister K.G. Kenye informed that Nagaland has a total of around 633 MW hydro power potential, which includes both operational and identified capacities. However, he added that only 104 MW has been harnessed, leaving 529 MW still untapped.
The demand projected by 2030 is 360 MW of power. Thus, that the state will need construction of nine 132/33 kV substations and 476 km of transmission lines at a total estimated cost of Rs 1,150.68 crore for which funding was required.
The 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) is languishing since some of the villagers fear submersion despite sound scientific reasoning to the contrary. The DHEP is one among 17 hydro projects approved for generating capacity of over 5,144 MW of power by 2030.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had granted concurrence to DHEP, for the third consecutive time until March 31, 2025. However, there are concerns that further extensions may not be granted if the project fails to move forward by that deadline.
The above projects which could have transformed Nagaland’s economic environment are stuck in the mindset that land owners have rights under Article 371A, against allowing such activities due to ignorance despite immense benefits for the people.
Power either through hydro or thermal projects including gas are crucial for driving the engines of laying economic foundation for progress and development.
Nagaland’s chapter of experimenting with industrialization was closed a decade ago when viable industries or state public sector undertakings set up during 70s such as – Sugar Mills, Veneer and Plywood Mill, Canning Factory, Distillery, Mechanised Brick factory and Tuli Paper Mill to name some, were consigned to history.
The problem is requirement of power and also bureaucratic inefficiency which have resulted in the industries being shut down prematurely before time. Communication is also an important artery for promoting economic activities such as trade, commerce and tourism.
Dimapur is the only entry point by land, rail and air from other parts of India.
However, the state has been ignoring the urgency of development of the railways which could handle thousands of metric tons of coal from Tuli/Tizit or food grains and other goods to Dimapur railway station.
Tuli railhead needs to improve and expand to broad gauge, as volume carriage of goods is increasing and more people are travelling. The potential of Tuli to Dimapur and Shokuvi railway line is immense.
However, Dimapur Railway station which came into existence in 1903 is among the oldest in under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) but growth has been stagnated owing to unauthorized occupation and encroachment. Dimapur handles around seven to eight thousand passenger daily (down from ten thousand during pre-Covid 19 pandemic) and earns the second highest revenue for the NFR in the region after Guwahati.
Land is needed for expansion to double track to facilitate not only more trains and stoppage time but also construct canopies over platforms. Presently only platform No.1 is covered under canopy while platform No.2 has no canopy owing to space constraints.
The need for improvement of Dimapur railway station has been highlighted over years in this newspaper. Today not even one train emanates from Dimapur where thousands of passengers entrain or detrain.
Dimapur railway station was allotted Rs.283 crore from the Centre for redevelopment and modernization to a world class station on August 6,2023. Tender was floated but cancelled owing to land encroachment issue which the state government had been ignoring for decades. There is fear that a major portion of the fund unutilized may be diverted to stations in Assam if the project is delayed.
The other issue is Dimapur airport which became operational for civilian aircraft since mid-70s and among the first few in the region. Unfortunately, the same story of land encroachment or questionable allotment by state government has placed it in a precarious situation. The airport handles around 3.20 lakh passengers annually, growing at 8 percent annually, according to reports.
There is need for an alternative airport and land is available at Chümoukedima village which could be made into a future international airport standard. However the state government has not indicated any plans for development in this regard.
A well planned airport would also enable huge benefits for economic activities for rising number of growers and entrepreneurs. The governments in Manipur and Meghalaya are going all out for development of airports at Imphal and Shillong. Air connectivity is considered a must especially for supplementing tourism trade.