Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said he is hopeful that the Unity Gate at Patkai College Junction in Chümoukedima will bring unity, sense of belonging, forge of oneness among the Naga family and serve as a beacon of good will to everyone who comes across this gate.

Inaugurating the gate one day ahead of the 61st Statehood Day and the annual Hornbill Festival, Rio stated that it belongs not only to the people of Nagaland but people coming from across any other states or countries, a DIPR report stated. He also said that the Naga traditional gate has been aptly named ‘Unity Gate’ as it incorporates the traditional designs and motifs of all tribes and the message “Welcome to Hills of Nagaland”, while also been mindful of the Government of Nagaland logo and theme. This Gate has come as a permanent structure for the Nagas in a better form and more permanent with a combination of Naga tradition and culture, the CM added.

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Rio informed that this gate is constructed with a motive to build on the cliff and not across the road so that it does not come to any obstruction and also keeping in mind the Dimapur four-lane road bypass via the NH 29 bridge road. He expressed his gratitude to the contractors, consultation, department of NPWD, government agencies, local bodies and NHIDCL for their generous contribution and requested all to take care of the Unity Gate. He further urged the locals, youths, and citizens of Chümoukedima to keep the place clean and make it a tourist destination.

I am happy to inaugurate the Unity Gate at Patkai College Junction, Chümoukedima. The Gate belongs to everyone and not just to the people of Nagaland.

I hope the Unity Gate will shine as a beacon of goodwill to everyone who comes across it. pic.twitter.com/uzopmQoEEi

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) November 30, 2023

CM Rio shared his vision of developing the areas near the Unity Gate with some lighter construction with food court, cafe, toilet blocks, and put up a high mass light to brighten up the area so that people can spend a quality time around the place. He informed that the issues with the land owners will be shared and compensated and the rest will be used for public utility. He added that this new vision of developing the areas will generate employment for young entrepreneurs where they can sell their local produce, ethnic food, coffee and the best of what is produced and encouraged all to think fresh and work towards it.

The Chief Minister hoped that the construction of Unity Gate will bring and motivate the Nagas to unite, prevail of peace in our land and preserve the new activities with full vigour.

Chief Engineer NPWD (National Highways), Er. I Tiameren in his technical report highlighted that the architecture of this gate was inspired by the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the people of Nagaland.

The project was assigned to Nagaland Public Works Department (NPWD) National Highways under the supervision of the Chief Minister. The total cost of the project was Rs 180 lakh, constructed by M/S Chabou & Co with M/S Paragon Prime as the Home Consultant and NPWD (NH) Kohima Division as the Executive Agency.

The Unity Gate is 55ft in length, 12ft in breadth and 56.5 ft in height. The structure adopted for this gate is primarily Reinforced Cement Concrete frame consisting of combined footing, raft foundations, columns, beams and slab. It includes roof shingles on the sloping roof, decorative stone works such as cladding, dressed stone works for base and two carved gate Monoliths. It also incorporates four huge wood carvings and about six stone boulders erected as decorative elements. The project has proper illumination bit in the exterior including the area beyond the main road. The edifice is well lit with sufficient flood lights and LED lights. These works have been protected with melamine sealer mate and remaining exposed works have been painted.

The inauguration program was chaired by Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing Department, Kesonyü Yhome, IAS. Dedicatory prayer was proposed by Vice President, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, Rev. Dr N. Paphino. Greeting was delivered by the president of Angami Public Organisation, Razouvotuo Chatsu.

The inaugurations witnessed the presence of Ministers, Advisors, Heads of Departments, Government officials, youth organisations, GBs and local authority.