CM Rio shares update on Ruzaphema airport project

KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said that preliminary and pre-feasibility study of the proposed international airport at Ruzaphema village adjoining Gali village was conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in November 2014.

The chief minister was replying to a starred question by NPF MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu during the Nagaland Assembly proceedings.

Rio informed that the project got stalled because the land could not be acquired for the proposed airport due to the unrealistic land rate demanded by the landowners.

On the status of eviction order at Dimapur airport, Rio said that complying with Gauhati High Court judgment and order, the eviction was jointly carried out by district administration of Dimapur and Chümoukedima, along with police, PWD, PHED, Power DCPO and CMO Dimapur, on July 13.

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He updated that a total of 17.9 acre of land has been reclaimed and transferred to the AAI. Temporary fencing is already in place, and plans for permanent fencing are being reviewed by the AAI headquarters, Rio added.

Traffic congestion in Kohima

In a starred question by MLA Sukhato A Sema, Minister of Rural Development Metsubo Jamir replied that, till date, the department has no plan for construction of ropeway to ease the traffic congestion within the state capital.

However, he stated that there is a proposal to construct a road from Catholic Publication Centre by-pass to the town below Assam Rifles, High School junction to T Khel bypass, New Market to T Khel by pass, Model Higher Secondary School, Lerie, to Capital by pass, and Alder College to D Khel by pass road.

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Status of PMGSY package III

In a starred question by MLA Nuklutoshi, Minister of PWD (R&B) G Kaito updated that the physical progress of PMGSY III is 17% and the financial progress is 6%.

He also informed that out of the 43 projects, the timeline for completion of 38 projects is September 2025 and five projects is March 2023. He stated that the projects will not be completed within the original timeline of 18 months and so the timeline has been revised to March 2026 by Ministry of Rural Development. He cited that the reasons for delay were non-payment of contractor bills from March 2024 to April 2025 as OMMAS (Online Management Monitoring and Accounting System) was locked by ministry.

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Appointment of primary teachers

Chief Minister Neiphiu replied informed that no primary teacher has been appointed since 2023 till date, except 43 candidates appointed on compassionate grounds. In response to a starred question by Kuzholuzo Nienu, the chief minister also updated that there are 1257 retired primary teachers since 2018, and currently there are 1115 vacancies of primary teachers post.

Inner Line Permit (ILP)

Replying to a starred question by MLA Kevipodi Sophie, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton said that 14,446 tourist ILPs and 30,873 ILPs under other categories were issued from January 1, 2025, to August 21, 2025.

Naga patient home Vellore

Minister for Housing and Mechanical P Bashangmongba Chang informed that the state government has approved INR 400 lakh for constructing a Naga patient home in Vellore, with INR 100 lakh allocated in 2022-23 and INR 300 lakh in 2023-24.

Status of CFC processing unit

In response to MLA Nuklutoshi's starred question, the chief minister stated that the CFC Food Processing unit at Youngyimsen is nearing completion, with civil work finished and half of the plant and machinery installed. The project was delayed due to the pandemic, technical issues with fund releases, and pending government grants.

Rio clarified that the project land consists of two parts: one acre leased for 30 years and two acres donated.

Kohima-Jessami road project update

In response to MLA Nienu's starred question, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang provided an update on the Kohima-Jessami Road project on National Highway 29. The project, implemented by the NHIDCL, has achieved physical progress of 19.16%, while the financial progress stands at 17.39%.