Dirty drains, traffic jams, garbage major headache
NEPS KOHIMA, August 18
Parliamentary Secretary for Urban Development Zhaleo Rio, while expressing his concern for the two fast growing major towns of Nagaland - the State capital Kohima and the commercial hub Dimapur - said his department is working to give more impetus to the development of all the notified as well as un-notified towns in the State. Talking to NEPS here on Sunday, the Parliamentary Secretary described Dimapur as “mini India” as it is inhabited not only by all sections of Naga people but also mainland Indians. Emphasizing the urgency to push for a major overhaul for the fast growing commercial hub of the State, he disclosed that constructions of few flyovers were in the pipeline so also widening of roads and more new roads. “Once these ambitious projects are completed, traffic problems in Dimapur ease to a great extent” he stated. Zhaleo also stressed the need for construction of ring roads in the State capital to ease the traffic congestion. Once these ring roads are constructed, 50% of the vehicular movements in main Kohima town would be diverted to these ring roads, he added. Talking about the development of various sectors of Kohima areas, the Parliamentary Secretary maintained that his approach will have the “common benefit” for all the wards and colonies. “I have been telling every individual coming to me that any work they applied for should reach the common man and not any particular individual,” he asserted. “I want to take up common benefits which will protect the welfare of citizens of each and every colony.” Zhaleo also stressed the importance of proper maintenance of drainages in Kohima and Dimapur towns. He pointed out that due to the non-maintenance of drainages or absence of drainages in many places in the town areas, commuters face a lot of hardship during rainy season as huge garbage flows along with rain water. “This garbage flow with the rain waters pose serious health hazards, besides damaging soils and roads,” he said He disclosed that his department was working to take up “storm water scheme” to dispose harmful garbage in safe places and also to channelise the rain water for irrigation purposes. The Parliamentary Secretary also disclosed that the State had recorded the highest rate of urbanization in the country adding that the national level of average urbanization was about 21% whereas Nagaland’s is 69%. He also spoke about plans to develop and create more satellite townships in the State so as to discourage migration to urban areas.