KOHIMA, JUNE 25: Principal Secretary to Nagaland Chief Minister, KD Vizo Saturday called on the implementers of Kohima Smart City project to engage the community and leverage technology to benefit citizens.
He was speaking during an official programme marking the 7th anniversary of Smart City Mission launched by the Central Government in 2015, in which Nagaland’s capital city ~ Kohima ~ was included in September 2018. It was organized by Kohima Smart City Development Ltd (KSCDL).
Vizo stressed on the need to engage the community to identify the factors affecting them and find out potential solutions as part of the Kohima Smart City project.
On leveraging technology, he said creating a smart city must also include educating the public to be smart citizens and that includes extensive use of Information Technology and electronic data-backed approach.
The smart city team should be innovative and have long-term solutions that are not only effective but also have potentials to improve upon the original plans, he said.
Nonetheless, Vizo cautioned that if planning is haphazard or not implemented strategically, it could have unforeseen consequences contributing to unsuitable living conditions.
“We should therefore use information and communication technologies extensively to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of services and citizen welfare”, he said.
Expressing that today cities are under tremendous pressure to satisfy the needs of its citizens, while Smart City performance hugely depends on its citizens, he said the focus of Smart City Mission is on sustainable and inclusive development to create cities that work for its citizens – liveable, sustainable and thriving and to offer multiple opportunities to its people to pursue their diverse interest.
“Let our mission be to build the four pillars of the Smart City Mission – Social Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, Institutional Infrastructure, including governance and Economic Infrastructure.
Projects worth Rs 550 cr for Kohima Smart City; 17 projects completed, says CEO Theunuo
Chief Executive Officer of KSCDL K Theunuo said that KSCDL is doing its best to develop infrastructure and services for social, economic, institutional and governance as part of Smart City Mission.
Kohima, the capital is not only a Smart City but also a cultural city in Nagaland consisting of different tribes which have been residing here since time immemorial, he said.
In this, the CEO asserted that KSCDL has adopted interventions in the City services by upholding the rich culture, traditions and identity.
He informed that Kohima Smart City Area based development is limited to 7, out of the 19 municipal wards only covering an area of 280 acres.
Briefing on the present status of Kohima Smart City projects, he said the original project cost of Kohima Smart City was Rs 1000 crore on the basis of 50:50 funding pattern between the Centre and State Government.
However, the project cost was revised to Rs. 550 core due to change of funding pattern to 90:10 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with Central Government share of Rs 500 and State share Rs 50, resulting in cancellation of projects worth Rs 450 crore.
So far, he said KSCDL has completed 17 projects out of 35 projects some of which include Integrated Command and Control Centre, Capital Cultural Hall, beautification works, community building at New Market, Pedestrian friendly footpath, mobile hotspot, etc.
Some ongoing works such as Multi-level parking at Old Medical Directorate and NST Bus station, Walk-able Street, Cycle Track are expected to be completed within 2-3 months, he said.
Some new major projects are City Centre, Local Ground redevelopment, Battle Tank re-development and Community buildings with parking and commercial facilities are to be completed before June 2023, he said.
The KSCDL CEO also informed that MoHUA has extended the duration of Smart City projects till June 2023 only beyond which no Smart City projects can be implemented and therefore appealed for full co-operation and support of the community towards timely completion of these ongoing projects.
The occasion was marked by special presentations by Japfüphiki Cultural Society, Eastory Project, Pelenuo, Nancy Magh and Keneiletuo Metha and a visual on the journey of Kohima Smart City since September 2016.
Chaired by KSCDL General Manager (Planning) Kezhochaloe Rhetso the programme commenced with prayer by Associate Pastor (Youth) of Rengma Baptist Church Zakevi Kesen while Kohima Municipal Council Administrator Lanusenla Longkumer delivered the welcome address.
KSCDL Finance Officer Mhonchumo Kithan delivered gratitude.
(Page News Service)
