Flooding a shared responsibility, says Zhaleo Rio; urges public cooperation

DIMAPUR — Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, has urged citizens to cooperate with municipal authorities in addressing the problem of urban flooding, stating that it cannot be solved by the government alone.

He made these remarks on the sidelines of a flag-off event in Medziphema where six cesspool vehicles were handed over to six Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Commenting on recurrent flooding across parts of Nagaland and the performance of newly elected councillors—many of whom had pledged drainage improvements—Zhaleo said that the root causes vary by location.

Also read: Sano Vamuzo receives BWA human rights award

He maintained that the government is not turning a blind eye to the issue, and that drainage construction and maintenance are now being prioritised across the department’s agenda.

“We are taking steps, but all stakeholders—including citizens—must contribute. Keeping the drains clean is everyone’s responsibility,” he asserted.

He also clarified that while physical infrastructure is being developed, the impact of flooding is compounded by human negligence. 

While clarifying that he was not defending anybody, Zhaleo said that drains have indeed been constructed. “However, the core issue also lies in public cooperation and citizens must also be responsible for how they dispose of waste, as this directly affects drainage flow during the monsoon,” he said.

The advisor further underlined the need for long-term solutions, including mapping vulnerable zones and developing proper waste management strategies.

On KMC theft case

Asked about the INR 1 crore robbery at Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) office, Zhaleo responded that as per the Urban Local Bodies Act, all revenue collections should be deposited in a joint bank account.

He questioned the source of such a large amount of cash being held at the KMC office and described the practice of storing significant sums in-office as “highly improper and objectionable.”

He informed that he had directed the department to write to KMC for clarification but declined to comment further, stating that an official investigation is still underway.

Road repairs

On the issue of deteriorating roads and public complaints about poor-quality work, the advisor disagreed with the “sweeping generalisation” that all roads are peeling off.

Some wear and tear is natural, he said, adding that road contracts include maintenance clauses— obligating contractors to carry out repairs within a stipulated time if damages occur.

He also noted that recent inspections during May–June showed satisfactory quality in roadwork. However, due to the ongoing rainy season, premix carpeting cannot be done effectively at this time, and additional work will resume later in the year.

Taxation and market regulation

Responding to concerns over unauthorised taxation along National Highway-29 and in other areas, Zhaleo clarified that while ULBs are legally empowered to collect taxes at reasonable rates, arbitrary collections are not permitted.

If there are violations, the public and the media are well within their rights to question them, he said.

With elected urban bodies now in place after nearly two decades, public expectations are understandably high, he added.

The advisor also reiterated the need for ULBs to fulfil their election promises, while stressing the need for more organised and regulated market spaces. He urged ULBs to identify proper vending zones and enforce restrictions in other areas to ensure convenience for the public.

Acknowledging concerns of double taxation and the existence of syndicate systems in the past, Zhaleo admitted that such practices were prevalent in some areas.

However, he stressed that the newly elected bodies must work to correct these issues. It’s time to take initiative and rebuild public trust, he asserted.

The writer, Tovito Awomi, is a student of Journalism and Mass Communication at Nagaland University. He is currently an intern at Eastern Mirror.