Correspondent
State chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday while stating that there was a mad rush towards urbanisation, said that the decadal urban growth in the State was 67.38%, which was double the national average of 31.18%.
Addressing the inaugural programme of the new office building of the Directorate of Municipal Affairs here on Wednesday, Rio said that even though there was a mad rush, many did not understand the concept of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). He explained that when there was heavy rush in towns, it was imperative that there should be proper regulations, including town planning and building by-laws, else he said the urban areas would become unliveable.
He recalled how Kohima town was once rated as India’s second most unliveable town, but it was ranked 27 recently, thereby showing tremendous improvement.
He mentioned that many changes had taken place in all towns, especially in district headquarters, while stressing that public awareness and participation had to go hand-in-hand.
Expressing concern over traffic congestion in the State Capital, the chief minister suggested the department to identify spaces where all localised events could be held. Citing the instance of traffic jams throughout the town, he remarked that if markets were concentrated in one area, then citizens would have to rush to that particular area.
He also called for constructing farmers’ markets so that women vendors did not have to sit on the road side and where the farmers could bring their produce, sell and pay taxes for the facilities provided, which would ease traffic. He asked the department to identify government land, buildings or even buy land in this regard.
Urging municipal and town councils to develop assets, Rio directed the department to also work out a formula on how to use these else, he said these should be privatised to prevent them from becoming eyesores.
He also called for incorporating Naga designs and motifs in buildings, while hoping that the new building would boost the morale of employees and improve the working atmosphere.
He further asked the department to work on waste management, improve cleanliness, enhance the liveability ranking and display proper signboards on roads.
He also suggested the department to ensure that old buildings were well maintained, identify a colour of the building so that different colonies could have different building colours and constructed with Naga motifs, adding that would will be big eye-catcher for tourists while also preserve Naga identity.
In his address, Urban development & municipal affairs (UD&MA) adviser Dr Niekiesalie Nicky Kire hoped that with the inauguration of the new building, the officers and staff would be able to work more efficiently and effectively
He also informed the gathering that the building had an emergency exit route for fire, lifts and ramps for differently-abled persons so that the office was more easily accessible for all sections of people.
Speaking on the occasion, additional chief engineer (urban engineering wing) Kevide Nakhro said the new three-storey building had 30 rooms, including a conference hall, mini conference hall, library and other utilities like public toilets, foyers, balcony, etc, in each floor.
He said the project was sanctioned under SPA during 2013-2014 at an approved cost of Rs 507.31 lakh with the funding pattern 90:10.
With incorporation of additional items, Nakhro said an additional fund of Rs 77.69 was required, making the overall cost Rs 585 lakh. The building was constructed by M/s K Nakhro and Sons.
UD&MA principal secretary I Himato Zhimomi chaired the programme.
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