Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced a breakthrough in oil production during Independence Day celebrations in Kohima. A tripartite agreement signed on June 11, 2026, secures the state a share of mineral oil resources in the Disputed Area Belt along the Assam border. Exploration is finally moving forward. The state is currently working with the Centre to build a regulatory framework that respects Article 371A protections. Rio added, "We are in further consultations to operationalize the executed MoU at an early date." A Gauhati High Court ruling on a suo motu petition further cleared the path for statewide extraction.
Development plans for Nagaki City are also accelerating. The state acquired land in the Chathe Valley of Chümoukedima district. Officials earmarked 330 hectares for immediate planning within the 39 square kilometer site. A governing council led by the Chief Minister now oversees the project, which already secured 100 crore rupees under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.
Road and air projects are moving fast. The PWD finished 132.5 kilometers of roads and six steel bridges last year. Work continues on highway widening projects including the Unger to Tuli route and the Longsa to New Wokha Village stretch. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited finished the four-lane Dimapur bypass. Plans for new landing strips in Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, and Ciethu aim to improve air travel. The state also proposed a LiDAR survey for the Tizu-Zungki National Waterway and is upgrading tourism facilities at Doyang Reservoir, Noune Lake, and Shilloi Lake.
Public services saw significant upgrades. The state signed a deal with TATA Company for 43 new buses. The Power Department installed over 57,300 smart meters to bolster revenue. Water access expanded significantly, with the Jal Jeevan Mission delivering 348,048 household tap connections by July 1, 2026. Financial health improved as well. The Taxes Department brought in 1,597.51 crore rupees in 2025-26, marking an 11.95 percent increase. GST collections jumped 28 percent, leading the country in growth.
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