S Henlly Phom
Dimapur, March 4 : The ancient Dimapur Town Hall at Supermarket is supposedly a multipurpose building. It has stood for about two decades. But what catches the attention of a passerby is not the notable edifice standing tall or the mighty gate but that the complex is littered with garbage and debris–and an unpleasant stench.
Since its construction, the Town Hall was under the State Urban Development department till 2007. It was assigned to the Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN) in 2008.
The Dimapur Town Hall is in pitiable condition today, appearing wasted and washed-out. Efforts are being made by the government to preserve local heritage and ensure development. Unfortunately, little has been done to revamp the complex–a need for cosmopolitan Dimapur.
Major renovation was undertaken in 2008 when it was handed over by Urban Development said Noleto Visa, DAN Executive Officer (EO), to Eastern Mirror. However due to ‘restricted funds,’ the department was unable to give attention to the building.
DAN is a revenue generating agency governed by a board. Without adequate funds, it is not for the department to do wonders. The department receives a budget of Rs. 1.5 crore in a year which is allotted for payment of staff salary. Because the department is governed as a revenue generating sector, the ‘developmental mechanism’ has to be through the income it generates, the EO said.
The building started off with a rent of Rs. 2000 for a day’s booking. It charges Rs. 6000 for a day with 50% discount for students’ programme. However private halls are preferred over Dimapur Town Hall even with the reasonable rate because of its state and lack of service.
Dimapur Town Hall is seasonal. The maximum revenue it gains in a year is about Rs. 2 lakh, Visa said. Acknowledging that the department has received backlash on social media because of its poor condition, he said ‘absolute facelift and enhancement of Town Hall is not happening soon as the department is not in a good position and the revenue generated is used for trivial maintenance or payment of salaries.’
Individuals have come forward for lease but the idea cannot be worked out as the property belongs to the government. The building’s plight has been brought to the notice of the state government. The proposal was snubbed because of ‘funds issue,’ the EO maintained.
Taking into consideration the growing backlash from concerned citizens, the department has proposed taking the matter to the North Eastern Council, a nodal agency for the economic and social development, for a facelift of the facility, Visa said. Political willingness and bureaucrat support are essential for development for a revenue generating agency like the DAN, the EO said.
Nonetheless, people utilising the facility should have the responsibility to take care of the Dimapur Town Hall because it is a public property; the lack of Civic Sense adds to the shabby condition of the facility, the DAN EO added.
Ironically, there is garbage around the complex, tossed by neighbouring residents. Visa lamented the mentality of citizens as discouraging.
