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DPDB meetings held in Kohima, Longleng; Mon meeting set

District Planning and Development Board meetings in Kohima and Longleng focused on road repairs, development schemes, and upcoming sports events, while Mon sets its meeting date.

Published on Jul 9, 2025

By EMN

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DPDB meetings held in Kohima, Longleng; Mon meeting set
Kohima District Planning and Development Board meeting in progress at the DPDB Hall, Kohima, on Wednesday.


DIMAPUR — District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meetings for July were held in Kohima and Longleng, featuring wide-ranging discussions on infrastructure, development projects, and departmental coordination, while Mon district authorities announced their upcoming session.


Kohima: The Kohima DPDB meeting was held on Wednesday at the DPDB hall, attended by MLA and Chairman of the DPDB Kohima, Kevipodi Sophie, and Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, MLA, and chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem.


According to a DIPR report, during the meeting, presentations on new society registrations and detailed departmental reports, particularly focusing on the road conditions across Kohima district, were made by the respective departments.


Executive Engineer, Nagaland Public Works Department (National Highway), Kohima, P Mendang Lepden, highlighted critical issues affecting road stability, especially along the valley-side stretches. He attributed recurring landslides and road formation breaches to the continual dumping of debris, loose soil, and overloading by heavy trucks.


He also reported on site visits conducted with local village councils and efforts made for water diversion and catchwater drain excavation, particularly near the New KMC Welcome Gate and Mohonkola Junction.


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Executive Engineer, Nagaland Public Works Department (Road and Bridges), South Division, Wapang, presented the 2025–26 road status and listed alternate district routes along with their current conditions. He emphasised the impact of monsoon-triggered landslides and announced the formation of Monsoon Surveillance Squads (MSS) led by sub-divisional officers to monitor and respond to emergencies.


Executive Engineer, North Division of Nagaland Public Works Department (Road and Bridges), Semasie Katiry, reported on maintenance works carried out before and during the monsoon season, including the clearing of landslides, repair of side drains, cross-drainage protection, and laying of granular sub-base.


However, it was said the department continues to face numerous challenges, such as damages caused by unregulated stone quarry activities, which result in rolling boulders damaging roads, quarry debris blocking drains, and heavy quarry vehicles accelerating road wear.


It was also stated that the practice of logging and firewood collection has led to roads being damaged by dragging logs and unattended timber blocking side drains.


The department cited disruptions caused by water pipelines laid along road shoulders, random link roads constructed without proper drainage structures, and haphazard development that has led to blocked cross drains and overburdened runoff systems.


While acknowledging that development is inevitable, the department stressed the importance of planned, regulated, and responsible execution, urging greater public awareness of the consequences of illegal dumping, unapproved road cuts, and blocked drainage.


Executive Engineer of Urban Development-I, Kohima, Keneizezo, gave an update on ongoing repair and maintenance work across town, including road repairs along the stretch from AZ Phizo Park to BSF Camp via the Medical College and another stretch from NBCC Junction to the High Court Junction in Meriema.


He informed the board that road repairs are being carried out in coordination with contractors and include the cleaning of side drains, clearing of clogged catch pits and cross drains, repairing cattle traps, and pothole repairs. Similar maintenance activities are ongoing along Box Cutting Road, PWD Traffic Point, and other major locations.


Read more: Kohima Municipal Council councillors warn of waste crisis amid worsening land sinking in Kohima


Executive Engineer of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), Imsunaro presented an update on the road stretch from NH-29 (Assam Rifles) to IG Stadium via Seithogei.


A composite retaining wall of 43.5 metres in length and approximately six metres in height has been completed, and routine pothole patching and light repairs are being carried out along the entire stretch. A JCB has also been stationed at the site to promptly respond to any emergencies.


The meeting also included a presentation from Viketuno Chüsi, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Department, Kohima, who highlighted the department’s activities and achievements under various central schemes.


Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the department has developed marketing sheds, constructed power tiller paths, implemented crop diversification programmes, and promoted agroforestry.


It has also facilitated rainfed area development (RAD), empowered women in agriculture, and organised exposure tours for farmers. Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), interventions such as the direct-seeded method of rice, SRI (System of Rice Intensification), and mechanised line transplanting were adopted in villages including Mima, Kezoma, Chedema, and Sakhabama.


The department also reported on the promotion of Jhum paddy, pulses, and coarse cereals. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a total of 6,460 farmers have been registered as beneficiaries in the district.


The board also discussed logistical preparations for the upcoming Dr. T Ao Football Tournament, including the appointment of liaison officers.


The meeting concluded with discussions on the deteriorating condition of several key roads in the district and the urgent need for focused attention on resurfacing, drainage repairs, and removal of blockages.


It was decided that the Department of Excise will present at the next DPDB meeting.


Longleng: The Longleng DPDB meeting was held on July 8, under the chairmanship of MLA and Chairman, DPDB Longleng, A Pongshi Phom, at the DPDB hall, Longleng. MLA B Bangtick Phom also attended the meeting.


MLA Pongshi, on the occasion, emphasised the importance of keeping pace with departmental progress and urged every department to keep updating themselves with the schemes and projects being implemented in the district.


Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman of DPDB Longleng, W Manpai Phom, said the focus would be on implementing schemes by individual departments, leveraging centrally sponsored programmes and other initiatives.


He highlighted upcoming developments, including the opening of a Bank of Maharashtra branch in Longleng town.


MLA Bangtick urged the HoDs to cooperate with both MLAs and address the recommendations forwarded by the MLA for the upliftment of the district.


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After the review of the previous meeting minutes, the LADP schemes for the year 2025–2026, submitted by the elected members of 49 A/C Tamlu and 50 A/C Longleng, were approved for submission to the Planning and Transformation Department.


A proposal received from SDMC Sakshi regarding the shortage of teachers at Government High School, Sakshi, was discussed, and the house endorsed the DEO to verify and submit a detailed report at the next meeting.


On behalf of the organising committee, Chingdam Phom highlighted the 35th All Nagaland State Taekwondo Championships-cum-Catch Them Young scheduled for July 29 to July 30, which will be hosted by the Longleng District Taekwondo Association.


He requested all heads of departments under Longleng district for cooperation and support in every way possible.


The DC encouraged stakeholders to propose innovative ideas, noting significant initiatives to promote sports development in the district. The proposal submitted by the organising committee aims to address funding concerns, ensuring participation without imposing mandatory burdens on departments.


The chairman entrusted the Department of Sericulture with the presentation during the next DPDB meeting, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the chairman.


Mon: DC and Vice Chairman, DPDB Mon, Wennyei Konyak, has informed all DPDB members of Mon that the meeting for July will be held on July 17 at 11:30 am in the conference hall of the DC Mon.


All concerned members have been informed to take note of the information and attend the meeting without fail.