KOHIMA — The chief executive officer (CEO) of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), K Theunuo, on Tuesday inaugurated the new multi-purpose building of Kitsubozou panchayat under Ward No. 5 in Kohima.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the CEO recalled that when Kohima was declared as a Smart City, people had high hopes that the capital town would be developed and witness changes but that could not happened because of the limited area based development.
Theunuo informed that the Union Ministry approved only 285 acres of land to be developed by KSCDL covering seven municipal wards namely Midland, Daklane, D Block, Naga Bazaar, Kitsubozou and North Block Keziekie and New Market.
Maintaining that KSCDL had initially proposed INR 1000 crore projects with different infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment for Kohima but it could not be fulfilled because of the 50:50 funding pattern between the centre and the state government. He pointed out that with financial problems, the ministry made the funding to 90:10 for all the northeastern and hilly states for which KSCDL changed the projects to INR 550 crore.
He informed that out of the seven multi-utility community buildings proposed by the KSCDL for seven wards, five were completed and two remained. He added that the project at Daklane is the smallest and the biggest project is at D Block.
The CEO informed that Kitsubozou panchayat was given INR 3.5 crore to construct the building in an area of more than 7000 sq.ft. He lauded the colony leaders, contractors and KSCDL officials for timely completion of the project.
The new facility has car parking on the ground floor, apartments on the first floor and a community hall on the second floor.
The CEO stated that the community buildings would be managed and operated by the respective colony and ward panchacyats on the basis of revenue sharing till the project cost is recovered. For this, he appealed to all the leaders of the seven wards to take care of the building and do timely maintenance.
He also exuded hope that the new building would not only provide the basic facilities but bring about unity and cooperation among the leaders and people of Kitsubozou.
The programme was led by the finance secretary of Kitsubozou panchayat, Aziebou Theyo, while the welcome address was delivered by its chairman, Dzieseneilie Sachu, and the vote of thanks was delivered by the general secretary, Atoulie Mechülho. Khriephrenuo Mepfhü-o presented a song.
Earlier, Rev. Dr. Kevekhalo Lasuh, senior pastor of Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kitsubozou, offered the dedicatory prayer.
The newly elected Ward-5 councilor, Vimhalie Pienyü; former MLA namely Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and Medo Yhokha and leaders of different wards and colonies attended the programme.