Kohima, October 22 (MExN): The Department of Urban Development (DUD), Government of Nagaland today clarified that the proposed Nagaki City project at Chathe valley under Chümoukedima district is to be funded by the Government of India (GoI), the State Government and willing private investors with preference to local investors.
“There is no proposal to avail loan from any lending institution,” the DUD asserted in the clarification issued via the State DIPR.
Shedding more light on the ‘secretive’ project so far, the Department stated that that ‘Incubation city’ is a competition-based scheme under the 15th Finance Commission grant of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, GoI.
Under the scheme, two cities in the Hilly/North East States and 7 other cities in the rest of India would be selected.
The State Government decided to participate in the competition and submitted a proposal for the Nagaki City at Chathe valley and this was incorporated in the of Finance Minister Budget Speech for 2024-25, the clarification stated.
Further, the Government's intention to set up Nagaki as a planned city was mentioned in both the Republic Day (2024) and in the Independence Day Speeches (2024), it added.
In the State Budget Speech for 2024-25, Chief Minister and Minister In-charge of Finance Neiphiu Rio announced the earmarking of Rs 150 crore to facilitate the acquisition of land for government projects and the development of the new city.
Meanwhile, the DUD further informed that the land for the proposed city will be acquired as per the existing law in the State through the Deputy Commissioner, who is the competent authority to acquire land.
The land rates will be fixed by the district authority with the approval of the Government, as is done in all other matters of acquisition, it asserted.
As per the Master Plan, out of the 330 Hectares Incubation area, about 40-50% of the total area will be required for provision of public amenities and common services such as roads, parks, drains, hospitals, schools, Police, Fire Services, etc, it highlighted.
It is proposed that the Government will compensate and acquire the required area and the remaining land shall be retained by the respective land owners, it added.
According to the Department, the selection of site has been done keeping in view of the strategic location, existing connectivity, topography of the land and scope for future expansion.
The DUD issued the clarification citing “some misleading posts” circulating on social media and local dailies regarding the proposed Nagaki City.
