Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Monday highlighted the state’s key infrastructure priorities, development challenges and investment opportunities while addressing the Northeast India Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition 2026 held in Shillong, Meghalaya.
The summit was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, ministers from various Northeastern states, industry leaders, development partners and policymakers.
In a post on social media platform X following the event, Rio said while Nagaland is among the oldest states in the Northeast, its development trajectory has been constrained by unique geographical, historical and structural challenges.
“Infrastructure remains central to accelerating growth and improving service delivery,” Rio stated.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the challenges posed by state’s unique landholding system, where most land is owned by community and is protected under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India.
These safeguards are crucial, but must be balanced to address the challenges of land acquisition, infrastructure, development & investment essential to the State’s growth, he wrote.
During the summit, the Chief Minister also highlighted several major projects that the state government considers critical for Nagaland’s future development.
Among them was the proposed Chiethu Greenfield Airport near Kohima, which is expected to significantly improve air connectivity and address long-standing transportation constraints faced by the state. Rio also showcased the proposed Nagaki City project in Chümoukedima and the State’s proposal for an IIT.
The Chief Minister also emphasized on the importance of the proposed Trans-Nagaland Highway, also known as the Foothill Road, which he described as a transformative infrastructure project connecting seven districts and over 100 towns and villages. “The corridor will boost connectivity, unlock economic potential, & drive growth,” he wrote on X.
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“For Nagaland, connectivity is not merely an infrastructure issue, it is a development imperative, he said adding the Trans-Nagaland Highway has the potential to improve access to agri, horti & mineral rich areas, create conditions for industrial growth, logistics hubs, tourism development & private sector investment.
Rio also highlighted the significance of the recent MoU with Petroleum Ministry and Assam Government for petroleum exploration and development activities. “Much of the prospective resource belt lies along the proposed Foothill road and robust infrastructure would be important to fully realize its economic potential,” he stated.
He further stated that he has invited development partners and industry leaders to come and invest in the State of Nagaland and support in the development journey towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Earlier, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the North East India Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition (NEIINFRA) 2026 in Shillong, Meghalaya, highlighting the importance of accelerated infrastructure development in the Northeastern region to boost connectivity, trade, tourism and economic growth.
The two-day summit, being held from June 15 to 16 at the Lariti International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, infrastructure experts and stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on emerging opportunities and future infrastructure projects in the Northeast.
