Kohima, March 15 (PTI): Problem in land acquisition is delaying development projects in Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told the state assembly today. Exorbitant rates demanded by land owners delayed acquisition of land for laying railway line from Dimapur to Zubza and the four-lane Dimapur-Kohima section of the national highway, Rio said during question hour. Even when land owners agreed to pay Rs 60 per sq ft, the Railways refused to pay the rate delaying the project, he said adding the land owners should not demand the prevailing market rates of Dimapur town in case of lands in the outskirts. He said earlier the government acquired land at the rate of Rs 30 to 45 per sq ft but now land owners were demanding exorbitant rates which the government could not meet.
Rio also said that the government did not neglect the expansion of Dimapur airport as alleged by the opposition members but failed to requisition land due to exorbitant rates demanded by the owners. Opposition leader Tokheho Yepthomi alleged that the government was not eager to acquire land for expansion of Dimapur airport, but acquired land for setting up of an airport near Kohima town. He also alleged that the government paid high rates to land owners to meet the personnel interests of persons involved in some projects while it was neglecting land acquisition for priority projects. Congress members were on their feet demanding improvement of power supply when Power Minister Doshehe Sema was trying to explain the supply situation in the state. The minister said against the peak hour requirement of 110 MW, the state received only 30 MW to 80 MW from its sources while there was rampant theft of electricity from power lines.
