Governor Nikhil Kumar formally inaugurating the Official Residence of Chief MInister of Nagaland at the Old Ministers’ Hill Kohima on November 11. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima | November 11 : The new official residence of Nagaland’s Chief Minister, which latter named as “House of Hope” was inaugurated by Nagaland’s Governor Nikhil Kumar here this morning in the presence of many dignitaries. The Governor in his speech said Nagas should present the bungalow with pride but more than that the building should be able to afford an environment conducive and compatible to the system of the state and administration.
Appreciating the oneness and unity shown by the officers of the state, the people of Nagaland, and those involved in the construction of the building under the supervision of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, the Governor said that the new building would speak of a new era in the state.
The feeling of oneness is a tribute of the State and is a rare event, added the Governor. The Governor further offered his good wishes to Neiphiu Rio as he begins the occupation of the new bungalow.
The Governor also released the coffee table book.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that in the aftermath of the accidental fire incident that took place on February 8, 2011, which completely damaged the official residence the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the state cabinet and DAN legislators had taken the unanimous decision to construct a new residence of the Chief minister at the same site with contributions from the elected members.
In the following weeks and months people for all walks of life, far and near, had come forward and made generous contributions towards the project. The contributors included elected members, service associations, village councils, tribal hohos, khels, clans, NGOs, individuals etc.
Rio said the project has been successfully completed in a record time of less than nine months. “There are multitudes of people to thank and appreciate in the completion of the project but I want to make a special mention of the untiring efforts of the engineer, the project consultants along with the workforce who worked day and night and had performed their responsibilities in the most exemplary manner.”
Rio said the overwhelming support of the people and the generous contributions of all the well wishers ensured the success of the project, “which will be considered as a benchmark and a living testimony of how with unity, we can overcome all hurdles.”
Rio also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who stood by during the difficult time of the fire through material help, prayers and morale support. Also expressing gratitude to all those who made constitutions towards the construction of the house, Rio said, “We will not be able to repay you back in any way but is our prayer to God Almighty that He bless all of you abundantly.”
Er. Kezhazelhou Theünuo, superintending engineer, NPWD (NH) said that it took 248 days to complete the building as per bar chart. From day one till completion, about 50 -60 labours worked tirelessly for 14 to 18 hours daily in two shifts.
This residential building was architecturally designed to have magnificent and aesthetic look, structurally designed for earthquake resistance. It has 16000 sq.ft in plinth area, having 5 bed rooms, 1 living room, 1 dining room with attached European kitchen, 5 bathrooms, 2 toilets, 2 luggage rooms, 2 store rooms, 1 small office room and a spacious lobby.
Theünuo said that apart from locally available materials like bricks, cement, sand and wood, most of the materials used in this building are brought outside the state and are all reputed and of high quality. Some of these materials are also not being used in our state so far thus resulting in high expenditure.
The total expenditure of this building without furniture and over furnishing item was Rs. 310.00 lakhs, out of which Rs. 162.00 lakhs were contributed by different organizations, departments and individuals, and the remaining amount was utilized on loan basis. He announced that this building was constructed at the rate of Rs. 1937.50 per sq.ft.
Earlier, the function was chaired by chief secretary Lalthara. Vote of thanks was proposed by additional chief secretary to chief minister Toshi Aier.
Appreciating the oneness and unity shown by the officers of the state, the people of Nagaland, and those involved in the construction of the building under the supervision of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, the Governor said that the new building would speak of a new era in the state.
The feeling of oneness is a tribute of the State and is a rare event, added the Governor. The Governor further offered his good wishes to Neiphiu Rio as he begins the occupation of the new bungalow.
The Governor also released the coffee table book.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that in the aftermath of the accidental fire incident that took place on February 8, 2011, which completely damaged the official residence the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the state cabinet and DAN legislators had taken the unanimous decision to construct a new residence of the Chief minister at the same site with contributions from the elected members.
In the following weeks and months people for all walks of life, far and near, had come forward and made generous contributions towards the project. The contributors included elected members, service associations, village councils, tribal hohos, khels, clans, NGOs, individuals etc.
Rio said the project has been successfully completed in a record time of less than nine months. “There are multitudes of people to thank and appreciate in the completion of the project but I want to make a special mention of the untiring efforts of the engineer, the project consultants along with the workforce who worked day and night and had performed their responsibilities in the most exemplary manner.”
Rio said the overwhelming support of the people and the generous contributions of all the well wishers ensured the success of the project, “which will be considered as a benchmark and a living testimony of how with unity, we can overcome all hurdles.”
Rio also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who stood by during the difficult time of the fire through material help, prayers and morale support. Also expressing gratitude to all those who made constitutions towards the construction of the house, Rio said, “We will not be able to repay you back in any way but is our prayer to God Almighty that He bless all of you abundantly.”
Er. Kezhazelhou Theünuo, superintending engineer, NPWD (NH) said that it took 248 days to complete the building as per bar chart. From day one till completion, about 50 -60 labours worked tirelessly for 14 to 18 hours daily in two shifts.
This residential building was architecturally designed to have magnificent and aesthetic look, structurally designed for earthquake resistance. It has 16000 sq.ft in plinth area, having 5 bed rooms, 1 living room, 1 dining room with attached European kitchen, 5 bathrooms, 2 toilets, 2 luggage rooms, 2 store rooms, 1 small office room and a spacious lobby.
Theünuo said that apart from locally available materials like bricks, cement, sand and wood, most of the materials used in this building are brought outside the state and are all reputed and of high quality. Some of these materials are also not being used in our state so far thus resulting in high expenditure.
The total expenditure of this building without furniture and over furnishing item was Rs. 310.00 lakhs, out of which Rs. 162.00 lakhs were contributed by different organizations, departments and individuals, and the remaining amount was utilized on loan basis. He announced that this building was constructed at the rate of Rs. 1937.50 per sq.ft.
Earlier, the function was chaired by chief secretary Lalthara. Vote of thanks was proposed by additional chief secretary to chief minister Toshi Aier.
(With inputs from DIPR)
