Efforts underway to resolve petroleum and natural gas exploration in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 3

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan today said that efforts are also on to resolve the pending issues relating to exploration and exploitation of petroleum oil and natural gas with the Government of Assam in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) and with the Central Government for the rest of the state.

In his address at the 6th Session of the 14th Nagaland legislative Assembly (NLA) here on March 3, Governor said that the Department of Geology & Mining was taking up exploration aggressively of the three major minerals of the state.

Under the coal sector, regional exploration is being undertaken in two blocks in Mokokchung district.

For strategic mineral (Nickel, Cobalt) bearing iron ore deposits, the department plans to take up detailed exploration in Pokphur block in Kiphire district and G3 level exploration in Mollen under Meluri district.

G3 exploration of limestone resource in Mimi, Khongka and Hakumute under Kiphire district is also being taken up.

For multi elemental analysis of minerals, rocks & soil, the Department has strengthened its chemical laboratory with the installation of WD-XRF (Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) facility.

He said that the Power Department has completed the award process for tenders under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

Works are expected to commence at the earliest, he said.

GoI has sanctioned an amount of Rs 667 crore for the scheme.

Under “Green Village Initiatives” program, 23 villages were selected and free LED luminaries distributed, by the Department.

To ensure reliability of power supply and facilitate timely operation and maintenance works of the existing Nagarjan Substation, the Department is undertaking upgradation of transformation capacity of the Substation at a cost of Rs 24 crore, Ganesan said.

Additionally, to provide stable power supply and meet the increasing load demand under Dimapur Load Centre, a new Substation with associated transmission lines under Chumoukedima District is also under construction by the Department, he said.

Under PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY), the Power Department has installed 7 (seven) Roof Top Solar Panels with an installed capacity of 24.11 kWp.

Rs 20 Crore under Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment is being utilised for installation of 18,000 nos. of Smart Prepaid Meters in Dimapur and Kohima towns.

The Department has also constructed a 2.4 MW Duilumroi Small Hydro Project in Peren district with a project cost of Rs 40 crore under State Plan.

Further initiatives are being taken for harnessing solar power potential under the Central and State Schemes, Governor said.

The Department of New and Renewable Energy has installed a 5 MW Solar Power Plant (Phase- I) at Hovukhu Village under Niuland district. Phase-II of the project with similar capacity and at the same location is also expected to be completed this financial year.

A Solar Power Plant of capacity 5MW at Zhadima Village/Teichuma village is also under implementation.

Stating that Nagaland PWD has developed and launched the Online Management and Information System (OMIS), Ganesan said that the system will cover Road & Bridges, Housing, National highway and Mechanical departments.

OMIS will also enable access to department data “anywhere anytime” which in turn will greatly enhance operational efficiency, transparency and help in data-based planning, he said.

The Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) completed Six (6) Roads covering 108.50 kilometres under PMGSY, 3 Roads covering 46.34 kilometres under NESIDS (Roads) and One(1) bridge with a span of 20 metres under CRF scheme.

More than 95 (ninety-five) Roads/Bridges projects covering the entire length and breadth of the state is being undertaken by the Department during this financial year, he said.

A few of the important projects being undertaken by the PWD (Housing) include Speaker's Official Quarters at NLA, Old Speaker Quarter at New Capital Complex, ITC Complex guest house & staff quarter and State Data Centre (SDC) at Directorate of Information Technology and Communication.

A few of the initiatives being undertaken by the PWD (National Highways) include, widening of 88.55 kms under NH 61 (New NH-2), strengthening of Dimapur City Portion Road from Dillai Gate to Tragopan Junction under NH-36, Widening of Existing Single Lane to Intermediate Lane from Mokokchung to Chare via Dikhu and projects for Improvement of Riding Quality on NH-702A.

The Department has completed the Rehabilitation of Dimapur Road Over Bridge (RoB) between Tragopan Junction and Burma Camp under NH-29.

He said that the Civil Administration Works Department, completed the Public Ground at D.C.Office Complex at Chumoukedima, Conference Hall at Chief Secretary's Bungalow, ADC Office at Pughoboto, G.A.Rest House at Pfutsero, Phek, G.A.Rest House at Hoshepu EAC HQ, Zunheboto, Flat type Qtr (Type-B) with site & services at ADC HQ Mangkolemba, Mokokchung, and ADC Office at Akuluto.

He maintained that the state is steadily making progress on industrialization front wherein  a total of 32,017 MSME units have been registered in the state as on January 2025.

The State Startup Policy, since its launch in 2019 has institutionalized Five Incubator Institutions, established Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Sixteen schools and Six colleges across the State and promoted 330 Startups as on date.

Nagaland has recently been acknowledged as the State with 200% surge in new Startup formations, he said.

The Motor Vehicles Department has entered into a collaboration with HDFC Bank for facilitation of e-challan and payment gateway. The digital payment services facility was launched across all the RTO and DTO offices across the State, he said.

Nagaland State Transport has inducted 5 (Five) New Buses during the year 2024.

The Urban Development Department, to cater to the Street Vendors has completed a marketing shed at Medziphema and 2 Marketing sheds are under construction at Chiephobozou and Shamator.
Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, so far, 4595 Street Vendors have availed loans enabling them to diversify their business.

During 2024-25, 41 SHGs were formed and 40 SHGs have availed Revolving Fund through DBT under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM).

He also recalled that Urban Local Body Elections were held to 3 Municipal and 22 Town Councils, barring the 14 Town Councils under Eastern Nagaland districts.

One-third of seats were reserved for women and the process was successfully and peacefully conducted after a long gap of 20 years.

Out of 523 candidates in the fray for 278 seats, 198 women candidates contested.

103 of women candidates won the elections representing 37% (against the mandatory 33%) of the seats that went to polls.