Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 27
The Nagaland government’s memorandum to the 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC) delegation has made a myriad of proposals for the development of several infrastructural projects in the state.
The XV-FC delegation headed by its chairman, Nand Kishore Singh is currently on a three-day visit to the state from November 27 to 29.
Here are some key proposals on infrastructure Housing:
Out of a total of 6058 Nos of Government buildings (offices and quarters) constructed since the inception of the state till date, 1142 Nos of Government buildings are more than 50 years old, which are beyond repair and require replacement with new constructions. Most of these offices and quarters in the district headquarters and sub-divisions and are in dilapidated state, the memorandum stated adding that out of these 1142 buildings, it is proposed to replace 25%, that is, 285 with new buildings @ Rs. 1.50 crore per building which will cost about Rs. 427.50 crores.
General administration buildings:
The memorandum stated that out of 12 districts, 7 districts have constructed new office buildings for the Deputy Commissioners (Collector); the remaining 5 district headquarters viz, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Kiphire and Wokha are functioning in old dilapidated buildings; there is further requirement for the newly created district of Noklak as well. “It is estimated that an amount of Rs. 100 crores will be required for construction of 5 Nos of DC '5 offices @ Rs. 20 cr per office,” the memorandum stated.
Those districts also require new offices for the Superintendents of Police. An amount of Rs. 50 crores will be required for construction of 5 numbers of SP offices @ Rs. 10 cr per office.
The total amount required for (i), (ii) and (iii) above will be Rs. 205 crores, it added.
Schools:
The memorandum stated that out of a total of 1913 government schools, around 15 school buildings are more than 50 years old. “Students face difficulties and hardships because the school buildings are in dilapidated state and not fully sheltered from the elements of nature such as winds, rain and sun,” it stated adding that an amount of Rs. 720 crores will be required for construction of five high schools in each of the 12 districts @ Rs. 12 crore per school.
Hospitals:
Out of the 12 district hospitals, 4 district hospital buildings are more than 45 years old viz, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto and Longleng, and are in a dilapidated state, the memorandum stated and sought that an amount of Rs. 100 crores will be required to construct new district hospitals in the above mentioned district headquarters @ Rs. 25 crore per hospital.
New High Court Complex: The memorandum stated that the New High Court Complex, Kohima is a long cherished dream of the people of Nagaland to have a separate High Court. The foundation stone at the site, with an area of 20 acres, was laid by Justice K.G Balakrishnan, the Chief Justice of India in 2007.
It stated that the project was started in 2008-09 under erstwhile Special Plan Assistance (SPA), initially with an estimated total project cost of Rs. 161.10 crores. However, due to discontinuation of SPA and resource constraints of the state, funds could not be provided, resulting in delays in the project.
“Due to delay and cost escalation, the estimated cost has been revised upward to Rs. 256.55 crores as per NPWD SoR 2016,” it stated adding that out of the total revised cost of Rs. 256.55 crores, an amount of Rs. 61.71 crores has been released for the project and the balance amount of Rs. 194.84 crores is required for completion of the project. It requested XV-FC to kindly consider grant of the same.
Higher Education:
The state government requested 15th Finance Commission to undertake new construction of one higher secondary schools in each 5 district, two higher secondary schools in 7 districts (14 nos.) and one college each in 7 districts. The total amount required will be 26 new institutions of higher education @ Rs. 10.00 crore= Rs. 260 crore.
Tourism: With an aim to tap the natural splendor, rich cultural heritage in the state and to promote tourism in the rural area, it is proposed that two each of rural eco-tourism centres are set up in each district @ Rs. 5 crore per centre = 24x5= Rs 260 crores.
Civil aviation: The state government requested the Commission that small landing strips may prove to be the best option in providing inter-district connectivity.
It proposed that one small landing trip may be constructed in each of the 12 districts @ Rs. 7.50 crore= Rs. 90 crore.
Fire station: The memorandum stated that the department requires construction of five fire stations in five districts and additional 7 new stations in the other seven districts @ Rs. 5 crore per fire station= 12 x 5 Rs. 60 crores.
Village Guards: An amount of Rs. 5 crore would be required annually for infrastructure development such as barracks and camps for Village Guards, the memorandum stated.
Department of Under-Developed Areas:
The state government requested that XV-FC to grant an amount of Rs. 50 crores annually for five years in order to bring the development deficits of this region at par with the other districts.
Power generation projects:
The state government requested the FC-XV to consider four Hydro Projects- 24MW Zungki Hydro Electricity Project, 24MW Lower Tizu Hydro Electricity Project, 24MW Doyang SHEP Stage-III and 10MW Doyang SHEP Stage –V at the total project cost of Rs.1115.59 crores.
Establishment of 4th NAP Battalion: The memorandum stated that the present location of 4th NAP Battalion HQ at Thizama, Kohima is proposed for construction of a new the Raj Bhavan complex.
The state government is proposing to shift 4th NAP Bn HQ to a new location within the vicinity of Kohima. “It is estimated that an amount of about Rs. 425 crore would be required for establishment of the new 4th NAP Bn HQ,” the memorandum stated and requested XV-FC to consider the proposal.
