Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while delivering the Independence Day address at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza on 15th August 2026, highlighted a range of initiatives undertaken by the State Government to improve healthcare, sanitation, social protection, rural livelihoods and the overall quality of life of the people of Nagaland.
Rio stated that the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) was making steady progress in improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 3,48,048 Functional Household Tap Connections had been provided as of July 1, 2026. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II, 1,300 villages have attained ODF Plus status, while the PHED has also strengthened its institutional infrastructure with the completion and inauguration of the PHED Division Office Building at Niuland Headquarters.
The Chief Minister said the Department of Health & Family Welfare continues to implement key strategies towards achieving a TB Free Nagaland in line with the National Strategic Plan. In collaboration with the Rural Development Department, 214 villages were declared TB-Free on World TB Day. The Department also launched the 100 Day Ayushman Student Coverage Mission across all districts to advance Universal Health Coverage and achieve 100 per cent Ayushman card saturation. He further informed that the State Government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for establishment of a new greenfield AIIMS in Nagaland. Following communication from the Central Government that an AIIMS may be considered subject to availability of sufficient land, the State has proposed 200 acres at Nagaki City in Chümoukedima for the institution.
Highlighting measures for vulnerable sections of society, Rio said the Social Welfare Department has completed construction of a new building for the Kohima Orphanage Home, with capacity to accommodate more than 100 children. Funded by the North Eastern Council, the facility is designed to provide a safe, secure and child friendly residential environment for orphaned and destitute children in accordance with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The State has also achieved complete coverage of all 17 districts under Mission Vatsalya, further strengthening child protection and welfare services.
Rio said the Department of Rural Development launched the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) as part of its nationwide rollout. The programme focuses on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihoods and climate resilience, including works aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme weather events. He added that the Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) is also set to implement Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) from 2026-27, to make border villages self reliant and vibrant.
Highlighting the Government’s focus on improved urban sanitation and waste management, Rio said infrastructure interventions were being undertaken under Swachh Bharat Mission kUrban 2.0 to enable Urban Local Bodies to comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. So far, 21 Urban Wastewater Managment project along with Sewage Treatment Plant projects have been grounded, while 13 Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants are under implementation across 13 Urban Local Bodies.