Aizawl, May 7: The Mizoram government on Wednesday approved the master plan for the relocation of Neihloh village, which has been declared unsafe due to severe land subsidence and landslide risks.
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| Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma chairs a meeting of the Neihloh Village Planning Committee at the CM’s Conference Hall in Aizawl to review and approve the master plan for relocation of the landslide-affected village. (Image: DIPR Mizoram) |
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Neihloh Village Planning Committee chaired by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall in Aizawl.
Neihloh village has long been identified as vulnerable to land movement and natural disasters, prompting both residents and the government to agree on relocating the entire village to a safer site within the village’s own land area. Preparatory works for the relocation have already begun, including land clearing and the construction of internal roads at the new site.
Officials from the Town & Country Planning Department and the Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department presented the proposed master plan during the meeting. According to the plan, the new village will cover an area of 60 hectares and include 105 residential plots, each measuring more than 800 square metres.
Authorities stated that only one house would be permitted per plot, while additional houses would require separate plots. The new settlement has also been designed with scope for future expansion.
The master plan includes provisions for key public infrastructure such as a community hall, school, Village Council house, church, water tanks, rainwater harvesting systems, a solid waste management centre, transformer locations, parking spaces and green areas. Minimum housing construction standards have also been incorporated into the plan.
After making certain modifications, the meeting approved the master plan and appointed nodal agencies for implementation. At the state level, the Planning & Programme Implementation Department will oversee the project, while the Deputy Commissioner of Serchhip district has been designated as the nodal officer at the district level.
The government also announced financial assistance of Rs. 15 lakh for each household to construct new homes at the relocation site. Families willing to invest additional funds will be allowed to build larger and improved houses, while minimum construction standards will remain mandatory.
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Officials said some families are already eager to begin construction and stressed the need to expedite essential groundwork.
Established in 1898, Neihloh village currently has 77 households with a population of over 400 people. The new site is reportedly located closer to the Aizawl–Thenzawl–Lunglei road than the existing village and is considered geographically safer and more suitable for habitation.
The approved master plan will now be notified under the Mizoram Urban & Regional Development Act, 2025.
The government expressed hope that the relocation project would eventually transform Neihloh into a modern, well-planned and sustainable village.
