Dimapur, Feb. 15 (EMN): The Kohima Smart City project continues its endeavour to achieve its ‘smart city’ objectives by means of engaging citizens in various promotional and survey activities, besides educating them about various aspects of urban responsibility. The response shown by 19 wards and initiatives taken up by the wards is ‘very encouraging,’ updates stated.
The Kohima Smart City stated the citizens’ “participation in the Ease of Living Index Survey is very encouraging,’ the ‘smart city’ authorities in Kohima stated in recent updates.
Kovi Meyase, chief executive officer of the Kohima Smart City Development Limited, issued a press release giving the details.
‘While the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had created a benchmark of at least 1% of the population to participate in the online survey, Kohima town could achieve the 1% mark (ie., 1076 people) by the evening of 8th February.’
The press release stated: ‘As on 14th February afternoon it stands at 1370 people. Kovi Meyase, CEO of KSCDL opined that though the target was achieved, the Kohima Smart City project continues to create awareness and reaching out to all sections of the society to ensure maximum participation and coverage and thereby create a sense of inclusivity which is often absent in many policy making approaches.’
The Kohima Smart City office in collaboration with a group called Green Team Kohima, who have been engaged as “EOL volunteers,” has organised awareness programmes in eight colleges, reached out to 19 wards and taking the survey to the streets covering street vendors, daily wage labourers, shopkeepers, and senior citizens etc, the updates stated.
The office has also launched an “inter ward wall painting competition” with the theme #MyCityMyPride and a signature campaign with the pledge “I pledge to take responsibility towards making Kohima a clean, green and more liveable city.”
Further, the Smart City Office is creating awareness through newspaper ads, radio jingles, radio interviews, “Whatsapp messages,” video promos on Doordarshan Kohima, and social media platforms.
Hoardings have been put up in prominent locations of the town. Posters have also been put up in strategic locations including banks, ATMs, Post Office, commercial areas, market places, bus and taxi stands and educational institutions, the press release stated.
A signature campaign was also conducted in the Angami Sports Association Wrestling Meet on February 12 and the 13th. Bus and car stickers will also be distributed by February 17, the updates stated.
“Awareness programmes and signature campaign” will continue during the Sekrenyi festival, the major festival of the Angami Naga people, the press release stated.
The press release stated: “The response shown by the 19 wards and the initiatives taken up by the wards is very encouraging. Several wards have tailored the awareness programmes for maximum outreach in their respective localities like mobile signature campaign on wheels, voice appeals by prominent citizens, public announcement through loudspeakers etc. Citizens of all ages including a mother carrying her child were seen stopping to append their signature on the banners.”
The Smart City CEO appealed to citizens to participate in the online survey stating that public opinion is imperative towards making practical policies for the town.
He stated that “every opinion matters and we can make every opinion count.”
For that to happen ‘we need to give our feedbacks,’ the press release stated.
The survey has a set of 24 questions concerning education, health, safety, recreation, water, electricity, environment, emergency services, employment etc and stated to involve about five minutes.
As it is an online survey, he has appealed to “all IT savvy citizens to reach out and help those who are not IT literate,” the press release stated.