Mokokchung infected by Dimapur and Kohima’s urban diseases

EMN
Dimapur, July 7

Mokokchung town, a fast-growing hill station is now becoming noticeably urbanized, which also means it has begun feeling a ‘pinch’ of the urban ailments that accompany development and growth – traffic congestion and stressed infrastructure.
A considerable number of developmental activities particularly those focusing on road connectivity dominated the July meeting of the district’s planning development board of Mokokchung district.
The monthly meeting of Mokokchung’s development board was conducted on July 7 in the town. Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & commerce, Amenba Yaden, presided over the meeting.The agenda included: construction of a road from Tsuzapang along national highway-2 to the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Khensa village, under Mokokchung district merging with the Mokokchung-Mariani road on the northern side of the district; shifting buses to the ISBT; launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in the district, and proposals for road connectivity for vital areas in the district.
Seeking approval of the house for construction of about 10 kilometers circular road from Tsusapang to the ISBT in Khensa village, executive engineer of the Public Works department Imnumeren told the board that Mokokchung town, one of the fast growing towns next to Dimapur and Kohima in the state, was steadily and gradually heading towards a urban situation similar to Kohima and Dimapur: traffic congestion.
He said a ‘pinch’ of traffic congestion in the town has reached ‘saturation’ especially during office hours and there was little room for expansion/extension of the existing roads including national highway 2. The highway passes through the town.
The politician sought the approval of the board to forward the proposal for construction of the proposed ring road urgently. He said that if approved, the work would not only ease vehicular traffic in the town, it would also promote expansion of the town and economic activities in the area. The board approved the agenda and decided to forward the matter to the government.
Shift to ISBT on July 13
Also, having completed all arrangements including power and water supply facilities for the ISBT, deputy commissioner, Sushil Kumar Patel informed the board that the buses would be shifted to the ISBT on July 13. There would be hiccups for bus operators and also for the commuters for now but the change will immensely help ease traffic congestion in the town, the administrator said.
Also the brand ambassador for the sanitation drive Swachh Bharat Mission for Mokokchung and Mon districts Subongmeren briefed the board members about the launching of the mission and its concept, visions, and targets. He appealed to the members to involve in the cleanliness drive. The main target of the project is to eliminate open defecation in the country, creating more awareness towards sanitation, and encourage the habit by mobilizing people’s participation in the mission, he said.
Also, chairman of the Mokokchung district Committee, BendangnukshiLongkumer, spoke during the meteing seeking involvement of the board members.
In other matters, the members of the board discussed and resolved to forward to the department matter regarding construction of road connectivity between Longchem (Nokpu) to Tzurong valley under Mangkolemba sub division under NEC programme and from Chuchuyimlang to Yali via Salulamang-Longra-Yangpi.
The meeting also urged the state government to allocate funds for the deputy commissioner’s complex under Special Plan Assistance ‘to avoid delay in construction’.