Sludge is seen openly dumped on the road amidst drainage construction and repairs being undertaken at Tajen Ao Road, Dimapur on May 17, 2023. (Morung File Photo: For Representational Purposes Only)
Dimapur, June 14 (MExN): The sewage management and a good sewage system must be the top priority for Dimapur, former Nagaland minister and Congress leader K Therie said on Wednesday.
Nagaland’s only commercial city that contributes maximum revenue to the state’s economy has been ignored by the government for too long, he maintained.
In a press statement, Therie pointed out that the state government is also aware of the incessant public inconveniences like flooding, blocked drains with no covers breeding mosquitoes round the year, congested roads, encroachments, erratic power and water supply as well as receding groundwater levels.
He further stated the environment cannot be ignored and tree plantations are required at least on one side of the road if not both while power distribution and transmission lines should not occupy both sides of the roads.
“In winter, dust and pollution covers everything, in summer floods submerge vast areas leaving the remaining areas mushy. These are the living conditions in a state with one of the highest literacy rate,” he pointed out.
The former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee President further noted that Dimapur is already a city by population, defined by amenities with housing, transportation, sanitation, land use, production and communication.
In 2011 census, Dimapur district had around 3,78,000 population and old Dimapur without division is 5,24,142, he said, noting that though it was trifurcated into three districts, it is almost functioning as one so far.
Besides, there is floating population of roughly 50,000 per day while daily vehicular traffic is about 10,000, besides rail and air, he added.
Accordingly, Therie highlighted that the city needs public wash rooms, parking, public and children parks, theatres, flyovers, etc.
However, the top priority is sewage management and sewerage, he asserted.
According to him, the Congress has given a blue print for Dimapur but this was rejected by the majority.
“Whatever may be the verdict, the first and foremost is proper sewage management to free the people from floods, submergence, blocked drains and pipelines,” he added.
Meanwhile, Therie shared that when he was the PHE Minister in 1993, he made a project report to construct a huge sewage management system and sewerage at a cost of Rs 70 crore for Dimapur.
When the project was to be submitted to Government of India, the State Planning Board decided to assign Urban Department, he claimed but said he had no idea what happened to the project thereafter.
Now, it may require 700 crore, he opined.
The project must to be taken up with sufficient technical back up and proficiency is a must to deliver reliable and permanent structure, Therie noted.
It is the responsibility of municipal bodies and elected members to initiate and insist, he added.
