Kohima, May 6: The Government of Nagaland has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Tata Motors Limited for the procurement of 43 buses aimed at strengthening and expanding public transport services under the Nagaland State Transport (NST) department.

The tripartite agreement was signed in Kohima on Tuesday by Additional Chief Engineer representing NST Merangkaba Imchen, OSD from the Finance Department Ketoulhou Metha, and Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing) of Tata Motors Ajay Gupta. The signing was held in the presence of Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen.

The ₹13 crore project will be implemented under a deferred payment model, with the state government making payments over a period of three years. This includes an initial ₹5 crore mobilisation advance, followed by two instalments of ₹4 crore each.

The payment structure will be supported through State Plan allocations, reducing immediate fiscal pressure and avoiding conventional borrowing.