Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 9 (EMN): Civil works for the remodeling of Khouchiezhie, Kohima local ground have begun under the Smart City Mission implemented by the Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL).
The local ground, known for pulling in tens of thousands of people for political, sports and other events, will now have modern amenities with better access for the people.
Eastern Mirror spoke to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KSDCL, Kezha Theunuo to shed more light on this development.
Theunuo informed that the ground would be furnished with modern amenities and multi-parking while there will be shops, driveway, and footpath below the gallery.
He maintained that the seating capacity of the gallery would be increased to 7000-8000 as it only has a capacity of about 3000-4000 persons at present.
The ground, he said, would be furnished with natural grass instead of astroturf as it is multi-purpose in nature.
In this regard, he stated that the existing structures will be demolished and new infrastructure and galleries will be constructed.
The CEO informed that the local ground redevelopment is being awarded to M/s Chabou and Co and M/s Viu.
Besides the local ground, another major project is the City Centre, that would be constructed from the Old MLA Complex. The CEO said it would comprise a commercial hotel, parking, multi-sports complex and others.
He maintained that the work will resume once the contractors submit their drawings and approval is done, as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract would have to be completed about the same time as the local ground.
The official revealed that the City Centre would be constructed by M/s Vilelie Khamo and Sons, M/s Chabou and Co and M/s Charlie.
Furthermore, he also informed that under the smart city mission, community halls of seven wards in Kohima had been approved under Area Based Development (ABD), of which the New Market Community Hall was already constructed and inaugurated on May 13.
The six wards whose community hall would be constructed are Chotobosti (Kitsubozou); D Block; Naga Bazaar; Midland; Dakelane and Keziekie.
KSDCL has also initiated various other projects in the past under smart city missions, while it was informed that the Central ministry has directed to complete all the projects by June 2023, stating that there will be no more projects and funding beyond that date.