DIMAPUR: The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has reviewed the progress of ongoing projects in Nagaland under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) and other schemes, stressing the need for timely implementation, prioritisation of critical infrastructure and early completion of pending works.
The review meeting was held in the office chamber of the Development Commissioner, Nagaland, on October 21, with MDoNER Joint Secretary Dr. Vipul Aggarwal, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, and representatives of concerned line departments in attendance. According to a DIPR report, Dr. Aggarwal sought updates and clarifications on several major projects, including a 50-bedded hospital at the new District Headquarters in Peren, a multi-speciality hospital at Chümoukedima, and indoor and outdoor stadium facilities at Peren Government College.
Emphasising the importance of planning and timely execution, Aggarwal urged the State Government to prioritise projects for submission under the 16th Finance Commission without waiting for final allocation figures. He called for departments to submit their priority lists by the end of October, stating that liabilities under the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions would not be carried forward to the 17th Finance Commission.
He called for clear roadmaps for project completion, with priority given to older projects and those that could be completed by the next financial year. Departments were also urged to expedite construction, reduce project timelines wherever possible and respond promptly to queries and requests for clarification.
Aggarwal stressed that major projects under PM-DevINE should be closely monitored and prioritised for early completion. He also called for objective, need-based proposals and targeted interventions to address critical gaps in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) performance.
While assuring that funding support was available for deserving projects, he emphasised that effective implementation and completion within stipulated timelines were essential. Acknowledging progress made by other Northeastern states, he said Nagaland needed to strengthen its efforts to improve socioeconomic development and ensure effective utilisation of development projects. Addressing the meeting, Kikheto expressed gratitude to the Government of India and MDoNER for financial assistance extended to Nagaland since the Ministry’s establishment in 1998. However, he said the assistance received had not been commensurate with the State’s developmental needs.
According to Kikheto, Nagaland received a total of Rs. 5,339.50 crore under MDoNER between 1998 and 2025, making it the third-lowest recipient of funding in the Northeast despite being the region’s second-oldest state after Assam. He appealed for greater financial assistance to address the State’s infrastructure and development requirements.
Kikheto said Nagaland was looking forward to an era of peace, progress and development, stressing the need to prioritise healthcare, road connectivity, education and other essential infrastructure. With government employment opportunities nearing saturation, he said the State Government was exploring alternative avenues for sustainable livelihoods, particularly for young people. Plantation and commercial crops such as coffee, tea, rubber and agarwood, along with eco-tourism, were identified as sectors with potential to promote entrepreneurship, generate income and support sustainable economic growth.
On project implementation, Kikheto informed the meeting that Nagaland had 71 ongoing projects under MDoNER. While several had been completed, some faced delays due to land-related issues, natural calamities and contractor-related problems. He said the State Government was making concerted efforts to resolve these challenges, including taking up matters requiring intervention at the level of the Chief Minister.
He urged the Ministry to take a considerate view of implementation delays, citing Nagaland’s unique landholding system and other local challenges. He also requested consideration of the issue of refunds of previously allocated funds, emphasising that the State’s peaceful situation should be treated as an opportunity to accelerate development.
Highlighting disparities in SDG performance between Nagaland and other states, as well as among districts within the State, Kikheto said the government would prioritise sectors and districts with significant developmental gaps. Road connectivity, healthcare, education and other essential services would receive attention based on identified needs. He also raised concerns over instances where the Government of India had agreed to provide additional funding beyond the State’s normal allocation, but the amounts were subsequently adjusted within the existing allocation. He urged MDoNER to maintain clarity and consistency in funding commitments.
Kikheto assured that coordination meetings would be held with concerned line departments to review project progress, address implementation challenges and ensure timely completion.
As part of his visit, Aggarwal, accompanied by officials from concerned departments, was scheduled to visit project sites on October 22. The sites included the Kohima Multidisciplinary Sports Centre at the IG Stadium Complex under PM-DevINE; educational infrastructure and facility development at polytechnics in Nagaland; a 220/132 kV and 132/33 kV substation at Tsitrongse, Dimapur, with associated transmission lines; and the upgradation of the Radiation Oncology Centre at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur, all under PM-DevINE.
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