Inside Nagaland’s Decorative Stone Plant: A Look into the State-Run Dimensional Stone Industry

In the industrial zone of Chümoukedima, Nagaland, stands the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NSMDCL) a state-run unit that has evolved from a brick-making facility in the early 1990s into a growing hub for decorative and dimensional stone processing since 2001. Backed by the NorthEastern Council and built on a vision of sustainable development, the plant today symbolizes both craftsmanship and regional resource utilization. NSMDCL is a government-managed industrial unit employing a team of over 50,including both staff and labourers across various roles. Beyond decorative stones, slabs, and monoliths, the corporation operates two more units at separate locations: a cement factory in Wazeho and the Mineral Industries Training Centre(MITC) in Lalmati. The team is now planning to expand operations by establishing a full-scale production unit in Ganeshnagar, where machines will be used for manufacturing. Finished products including monoliths and slabs will then be transported and sold from the existing outlet in Chümoukedima, which will serve as the main display and customer-facing store. The store offers handmade items such as monoliths and slabs in various shapes and patterns. What sets NSMDCL apart is its pricing comparatively lower than typical industrial retailers making it accessible and affordable. While there’s no single target customer group, the store sees occasional visits from locals across the state. In earlier years, architects were among the most frequent visitors, and nowadays, academic institutions remain among the occasional customers.One of the biggest challenges the plant faces is the sourcing of raw materials and transportation. Despite the difficulty, the team remains hopeful and determined to continue operations and gain wider recognition across the region. Support from the local community through purchases and word-of-mouth referrals has played a key role in keeping the momentum going. To the workers and management, this business is more than just production; it’s about delivering reliable, regionally made industrial products that meet customer expectations. Through this journey, they’ve gained valuable insight into product development, customer interaction, and the demands of industrial trade.