Nagaland has received no FMBAP projects in over 10 years despite four proposals, as Ozukum seeks Centre’s approval
DIMAPUR — Nagaland has not received a single project under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) in more than 10 years, despite submitting four proposals, Advisor for Water Resources Tongpang Ozukum said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Jal Shakti Departmental Summit, Ozukum urged the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to award Nagaland an FMBAP project in the current financial year.
He highlighted erosion concerns along the Chathe River in Chümoukedima, Tuli town in Mokokchung and Naginimora in Mon, and called for both conventional and non-conventional anti-erosion measures.
Ozukum also flagged the state’s limited working season, saying most water infrastructure works can be carried out only from November to April. He stressed that timely release of funds is therefore critical to completing projects on schedule.
As Nagaland implements only Minor Irrigation projects, he said land acquisition and other project-related hurdles are relatively limited, with timely funding remaining a key concern.
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He sought greater flexibility in financial procedures, including allowing audit certificates once every two years instead of every nine months. He also proposed limiting annual mother sanctions under the SNA-SPARSH system to two instalments.
Ozukum further suggested that Surface Minor Irrigation projects approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee should not require fresh approval in subsequent years.
He called for provision for price escalation to prevent delays from causing cost overruns and proposed raising the Minor Irrigation development cost from INR 4 lakh to INR 6.5 lakh per hectare.
Highlighting the state’s water paradox, Ozukum said Nagaland receives heavy monsoon rainfall but faces acute shortages during lean seasons because of its hilly terrain and high runoff.
He highlighted the Nagaland Strategic Water Resilience Initiative for 2026-27 and farm ponds under NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund as measures to improve water conservation, storage and groundwater recharge.
The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during its valedictory session, along with the Union Jal Shakti Minister, state and Union territory ministers and officials.
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