Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation completed a pre-monsoon drainage clearance drive to reduce flood risks in Dimapur.
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DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) on Monday announced the successful completion of its pre-monsoon drainage clearance drive carried out under the district administration and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), functioning under the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA).
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Grand Vista, DUCCF vice-president Nzanbemo Lotha said the drainage clearance exercise commenced on May 16 and concluded on June 12.
DUCCF president Zasivikho Zakiesato said the federation had been entrusted with the responsibility by the district administration and DDMA. He thanked Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen for personally inspecting flood-prone areas in Dimapur ahead of the monsoon. Following the inspection, DUCCF and the GB Union Dimapur (Sadar) were assigned to clear major drainage channels.
Zakiesato said teams worked continuously, including Sundays, to complete the exercise. While acknowledging that it was impossible to clean every drain in the town, he said priority had been given to major drainage networks.
One of the main stretches covered extended from East Block, Burma Camp, through Namgalong colony, Thongjang colony, Ragailong colony, West Yard, Police colony, Nagarjan Police Point, United colony, SM colony, Kuda village and Thahekhu Junction before draining into the Dhansiri River.
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Another stretch covered Sunday Bazaar, Burma Camp, Rainbow colony, Niu colony, New Field Gate and Zeliangrong colony, where the drainage system bifurcates towards Lengrijan and Kushiabill.
Commending DUCCF members and GBs, Zakiesato noted that many personally entered the drains alongside labourers despite difficult working conditions.
He urged residents to stop dumping garbage into drains, stating that the practice leads to blockages, stagnant water and flooding. Heavy-duty nets, similar to football nets, have also been installed at strategic locations, including West Yard, Namgalong colony, the Burma Camp slaughterhouse area and Tata Parking near City Mall, to trap floating waste before it enters major drainage channels.
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According to Zakiesato, the drainage outlet from Tata Parking towards the slaughterhouse was among the worst-affected areas.
On the financial aspect, he said the project had been sanctioned with a budget of INR 25 lakh. However, due to efficient execution, the work was completed at an estimated cost of INR 23 lakh.
He also acknowledged the support of MLAs Tovihoto Ayemi and Moatoshi Longkumer, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho, GB Union Sadar, the district administration, DDMA and landowners.
Providing further details, DUCCF general secretary Bokato Wotsa said one drainage stretch from East Block, Burma Camp to SM colony covered 13 colonies, another from Rainbow colony to Dilai Gate covered 11 colonies, while a third from Zeliangrong colony to Christian Higher Secondary School covered six colonies. Drains were also cleared in Urban Housing, Burma Camp, Red Cross colony, Central colony, Burma Camp Police Point and Kuda village.
Wotsa said the exercise exposed alarming levels of indiscriminate waste disposal, with workers recovering garbage-filled plastic bags and carcasses of pigs, chickens, dogs and cattle from drains.
He also expressed concern over household toilet outlets being connected directly to rivers instead of septic tanks, describing the practice as a serious public health issue.
Responding to queries on whether the exercise offered a permanent solution to flooding, DUCCF information secretary Arang Pongen said flooding in Dimapur had intensified over the past 15 to 20 years due to rapid urbanisation and encroachment on drains and natural streams.
He urged residents to avoid construction near drainage channels and called for protective nets to be installed at other sensitive locations.
On encroachments, Zakiesato said a drainage survey committee constituted in 2023 had already identified several cases, including on patta lands. He urged the government to allocate funds for long-term flood mitigation measures and support efforts to remove illegal encroachments.
Addressing questions on the apparent absence of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), DUCCF vice-president P Vikheto Chisho clarified that drainage clearance responsibilities had been divided among various agencies, with DMC assigned to other designated areas of the town.