Zhaleo hands over cesspool vehicles to 6 town councils

Urban Development Department (UDD), under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), distributed cesspool vehicles to six town councils at a programme held on Friday at City Centre, Medziphema Town Council, Chumoukedima.
Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, attended the event as chief guest and flagged off the vehicles.
Town councils- Naginimora, Longleng, Changtongya, Peren, Tseminyu and Medziphema received the vehicles. In his speech, Zhaleo said this was the second round of cesspool vehicle distribution under SBM. He mentioned funding constraints limited the current phase to six councils but expressed hope for future expansion.
Emphasizing sanitation, Zhaleo urged councils to avoid dumping cesspool waste in open areas and instead use designated reservoirs. He said funds would be made available to build these reservoirs.
Commenting on the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) cash incident, Zhaleo expressed shock over the discovery of nearly Rs. 1 crore at the office, questioning why the money wasn’t deposited in a bank. He further said that an investigation was underway.
On recent flooding in Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Nuiland, he acknowledged the need for better drainage and urged citizens to dispose waste properly during the monsoon season. He assured that improving drainage infrastructure was a department priority.
Zhaleo also spoke on taxation, advising councils to fix rates and avoid arbitrary collections. He stressed citizens’ rights to challenge such practices. He also highlighted the need to identify suitable market areas and discontinue inconvenient ones.
Commissioner and secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Kekhrievor Kevichüsa, called sanitation a key responsibility. He said cesspool vehicles would support hygiene and also generate revenue for staff salaries. The programme was chaired by additional director, Tarachu Fithu, with invocation by MTBC pastor, Keviuchulie Mezhü. Mission director SBM-U 2.0, Kezhochole Rhetso, gave a user manual presentation, and vote of thanks was delivered by Medziphema town council chairperson, Abei Thepa.