EMN DIMAPUR, JANUARY 21
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, during a meeting with the Prime Minister at 7 Race Course in New Delhi on Monday, highlighted a number of problems being faced by the people of State. The meeting was convened by the Planning Commission, Government of India under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and attended by all the North East region chief ministers to review the central sector projects being implemented in the region. The following issues were raised by Rio in an Aide Memoire submitted to the Prime Minister.
Railways Railway line from Dimapur to Tizit: Ministry of Railways has already approved for this new railway, covering a distance of about 250 kms. Survey work has been completed during last year. The implementation may be started at the earliest by sanctioning fund during this current year. The proposed line traverses rich mineral belt, including oil fields and will also act as feeder to Tuli Paper Mill which is being revived. Construction of Dimapur-Zubza line: This project was sanctioned in the year 2008. There was some delay in execution due to land acquisition problems, which has now been resolved. The line may be extended upto Kohima, and then further to the border town of Moreh, Manipur to facilitate export-import of goods.
Roads Foothill Road Nagaland being predominantly hilly and land locked State, the road is the only lifeline with the rest of the country. In this regard, Rio said he had written to Union Minister of Roads Transport & Highways, Government of India for construction of a new State highway from Tizit in the north to Khelma in the south, traversing the State and connecting low lying areas adjoining Assam, which has potential of agriculture and industrial development as the area is rich in oil and minerals. The State government is also embarking on an ambitious project of creating a Special Development Zone (SDZ) along the foothills of the state by liberalizing land ownership laws and ILP regimes to encourage outside investments and technical personnel for urbanization and industrialization to create employment opportunities for the youth. The proposed 2-lane state highway will bring about convergence and connectivity and act as a multiplier effect on the venture. In this connection, a concept note has been prepared for “Construction of Foot hill road from Tizit to Khelma via Naginimora, Tuli, Yachang , Longtho, Governor’s camp, Niuland, Dimapur, Jalukie covering a distance of 430 kms”. The estimated amount for the project is Rs 2910.50 crore.