Kohima Smart City (KSC) in collaboration with the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) and the Kohima Traffic Police (KTP) undertook a recce of all the 19 wards with the ward functionaries and identified problem areas. As a follow up, 560 numbers of “No Parking” signposts with plastic free slogan were distributed to the wards in a programme which was launched by the special guest, Dr. N. Nicky Kire, advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs on September 2 at Gorkha Public Panchayat, Chandmari.
A press release from joint CEO, KSC, stated that, during the programme, Dr. Nicky Kire pointed out that people needed to learn how to car pool as about 80% of vehicles in traffic has a single occupant. He stated that if one claims to be educated, one should behave like educated people starting with following basic traffic rules. He also challenged the wards to monitor the traffic and parking in their respective wards and levy penalties whenever necessary. On waste management the advisor encouraged the wards to take up initiatives and compare and share best practices and inculcate a healthy competitive spirit for a smarter Kohima.
CEO Kohima and administrator KMC, Kovi Meyase informed that the programme was part of the “100 days smart city special initiative campaign on sanitation”. He stated that the success of any initiative in the wards and the city largely rested on the proactive participation of the community.
Short speeches were delivered by the deputy SP Traffic, Manom Wallim, the president of the AKMWP, Neiboulie Kiewhuo and chairman of Upper Chandmari Ward 12, Ketholelie.
Some crucial points raised by the speakers included the need to empower the traffic police and enforce traffic/parking rules stringently. The menace of plastic use and its impact on the environment and water bodies was also raised. It was informed that the plastic ban order of the government comes into force on September 17 and the active participation of the wards in creating awareness would determine the successful implementation of the order to a large extent. Chairman of ward 12-Upper Chandmari also distributed indigenous bamboo tongs designed by Gaonbura Zetuo which is being used for picking garbage in their ward.