Zhaleo flags off 6 cesspool vehicles under Swachh Bharat Mission

DIMAPUR — Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio on Friday flagged off six cesspool vehicles to six urban local bodies (ULBs) under Phase-1 of the Cesspool Vehicles Commissioning Programme, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, at City Centre, Medziphema Town Council, Chümoukedima district.

The six recipients of cesspool vehicles include Medziphema Town Council, Peren Town Council, Tseminyu Town Council, Longleng Town Council, Naginimora Town Council and Changtonya Town Council.

Addressing the event, Advisor Zhaleo noted that Medziphema was chosen for its central location and convenience. He emphasised the importance of drivers and officials learning to properly operate and maintain the cesspool vehicles to ensure their longevity.

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

He warned against dumping septic waste in open fields, emphasising the need for proper reservoir tanks or septage facilities. Since the recipient town councils lack these facilities, he suggested that the next fund release should mandate the construction of septage facilities for the cesspool vehicle recipients.

Zhaleo stated that well-performing ULBs following government guidelines will receive more funds and equipment. He also mentioned that recent floods in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland were largely due to man-made factors.

The advisor stressed that public cooperation is crucial for the success of sanitation and waste management awareness campaigns conducted by the department and ULBs.

He also urged the councillors to acknowledge their shortcomings as well and encouraged the councillors to mobilise the citizens and go beyond routine social work by engaging in proactive sanitation efforts.

Additionally, Zhaleo advised the recipients to use the vehicles responsibly and maintain them properly, as they can serve as a revenue source for the town councils.

Highlighting the objectives and goals of the initiative, Commissioner & Secretary of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Kekhrievor Kevichüsa, shared that sanitation and waste management are among the most crucial responsibilities that have been devolved to the town councils.

And the department is supporting the town councils in achieving the Swachh Bharat Mission's goals, he said.

Kevichüsa stated that the introduction of dedicated collection vehicles marked the first step toward better management of liquid waste, specifically household sanitary waste.

He further added that the next phase would involve setting up septage facilities, which the department was already working on, and project proposals had been submitted to the Ministry.

The official emphasised that the cesspool vehicles aim to improve sanitation and generate revenue for Town Councils. However, he warned that if the towns can't sustain their operation, the initiative will fail, as the government can't fund running costs indefinitely.

Kevichüsa urged the recipients to use the facilities effectively and make them commercially viable. The plan is to extend this initiative to all 39 urban local bodies across the state.

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