Kohima, June 12: Nagaland Chief Minister on Friday Emphasized the state’s development priorities during a meeting of Northeastern Chief Ministers with NITI Aayog Vice Chairman , seeking support for infrastructure, connectivity, education, healthcare and fiscal sustainability.

Rio thanked NITI Aayog for its guidance and technical assistance, stating that the institution had strengthened Nagaland’s development planning and accelerated progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He also appreciated the implementation of the Aspirational Districts Programme, Aspirational Blocks Programme, Sampoornata Abhiyan and Sampoornata Samman Samaroh, saying these initiatives had improved development outcomes in remote and underserved regions.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for NITI Aayog’s support in facilitating the establishment of the Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT) under the State Support Mission and welcomed the approval of the institute’s action plan for April-September 2026.

Highlighting the state’s financial concerns, Rio said Nagaland is facing a serious fiscal challenge following the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants under the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. He urged the Centre to provide annual Special Grants throughout the award period of the commission.

Referring to the ₹3,880 crore allocation under Part X–Pride of Hills of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2026-27, Rio said the assistance is loan-based and conditional. He noted that additional borrowing to finance revenue expenditure would not be a sustainable solution for the state.

On infrastructure, Rio described connectivity as the principal driver of economic transformation and sought support for the 364-km Foothill Road, also known as the Trans-Nagaland Highway. He said the project could become the state’s primary economic corridor by linking agricultural hubs, mineral-rich areas, tourism destinations, industrial zones and trade centres.

The Chief Minister also sought support for improving air connectivity through short landing strips in four districts, extending the Dimapur-Zubza railway line, expediting approval of the Dimapur-Tizit rail project and developing inland waterways.

Addressing urban development challenges, Rio said rapid urbanisation in Kohima and the Dimapur-Chümoukedima urban agglomeration, which account for nearly 60 per cent of Nagaland’s urban population, has led to traffic congestion and infrastructure pressure. He proposed the construction of 14 flyovers and elevated corridors to address these issues.

In the education and healthcare sectors, Rio requested support for the early establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Nagaland on 260 acres at Nagaki City, a Greenfield AIIMS on 200 acres and strengthening of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR).

The Chief Minister said the state government has identified around 39 square kilometres in Chathe Valley of Chümoukedima district for the development of Nagaki City, a modern incubation city aimed at promoting economic activities, creating employment opportunities and reducing pressure on existing urban centres.

On agriculture, Rio said coffee has emerged as a flagship crop under the “Taste of Eminence” brand with support from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). He added that the state plans to expand coffee cultivation and is seeking support for agarwood value-chain development.

Rio also referred to the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India, Assam and Nagaland for mineral oil operations in the Disputed Area Belt along the Assam-Nagaland border. He said the state is pursuing the early resumption of petroleum and natural gas exploration and production activities while safeguarding constitutional provisions.

The Chief Minister reiterated Nagaland’s commitment to development and thanked NITI Aayog for its continued support and partnership in unlocking the growth potential of the Northeast region.