DUCCF says no compromise against land encroachment on drainages

Clogged drains major contributor to annual flooding in Dimapur

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20

The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) asserted that it will not compromise against land encroachment on drainages that have been a major contributor to the annual flooding in Dimapur. 

The DUCCF executives told a press conference in Dimapur on March 20 that they are prepared to work with the district administration to re-open blocked drains ahead of the upcoming monsoon.

According to them, they recently concluded visits to 69 out of 97 colonies across Dimapur’s 23 municipal wards to assess the ground situation.

“Since March 16, we have been visiting various wards and colonies. We have covered almost 69 colonies. During these visits, the most important issue we observed in the colonies is the drainage problem,” said DUCCF Vice President Tongzuk Pongen. 

He described the yearly floods as a “man-made disaster” fueled by drainage blockages and illegal land occupation. “On this matter, DUCCF will not compromise. We will work with the district administration to take action on whichever drains need to be opened,” Pongen said. He added that they has already submitted photographic evidence to the government to facilitate immediate intervention.

General Secretary Bokato Wotsa highlighted the scale of the crisis, noting that approximately 30 colonies are currently severely affected. These included colonies falling under Ward- 8, Ward-5, Ward-21, Ward-12, Ward-4, Ward-13, Ward-16, Ward-7, Ward-20 and Ward-23. 

Wotsa expressed concern over the government’s tendency to focus on short-term aid rather than infrastructure development. “Every year, the administration and officers visit. But what happens? They just provide relief. We haven't seen any actual progress or a solution,” Wotsa stated.

DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato said that the Dimapur district administration, Department of Land Records and Survey, and the DUCCF had conducted a joint survey in September 2025, during which they identified several cases of blocked drainages as a result of encroachments by private individuals. He added that the survey included verification of land documents (patta) to determine where drains had been narrowed or blocked by private individuals. 

“The survey has already been done. If someone has encroached, the drain must be opened. You can't just leave it,” Zakiesato said. While the encroached areas have been identified, he said that the ball was now in the government’s court for taking remedial measures.

They also noted that encroachment has narrowed roads in various localities to the point where fire trucks cannot enter during emergencies. Zakiesato appealed to colony leaders to ensure that both roads and drains are kept wide enough for public safety.

Regarding infrastructure funding, the DUCCF sought clarification from the district administration on the status of projects to have been taken up via funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2024. 

Recently, on March 13, the Central government allocated Rs.158.41 crore to Nagaland for damages caused by floods during 2025. The allocation was part of a Rs. 1,912.99 cr “additional Central assistance to Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and UT of Jammu & Kashmir affected by flood, flash flood, cloudburst, cyclone ‘Montha’ landslides during year 2025” from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

The DUCCF President Zakiesato said that they would act as a pressure group to ensure these funds reach the public through proper relief measures.

With the monsoon expected in the coming months, the DUCCF urged the state government to be proactive. “We can’t stop the rain, but we can build proper, wide drains and retaining walls,” he said, while assuring that they are ready to cooperate with the administration.

Prepaid power
On the issue of prepaid energy metering, DUCCF Joint Secretary, Dr Kahoka Sema held that ‘domestic’ consumers should not be forced into accepting prepaid energy. There have been allegations that consumers have been forced by the Department of Power Nagaland to transition to the ‘Smart’ prepaid system. According to Sema, they have not received any formal complaints from anyone in this regard.