DMC to organise ‘Run for Clean Dimapur’ on September 27

Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) will be organising the first-ever “Run for Clean Dimapur” on September 27 as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which identifies Dimapur as one of the non-attainment cities in terms of air quality.
Announcing this at a press conference on Tuesday, DMC CEO Thungchanbemo Tungoe informed that the event is being organised in convergence with the district administration, Development Authority of Nagaland, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, National Youth Climate Consortium (NYCC) and several NGOs including Earth Alliance, Pro Rural, Team Better Dimapur and CanYouth.
He said the marathon aims to raise awareness on air pollution, promote cleaning initiatives, encourage collective action for a cleaner city and engage youth in sustainable development.
Highlighting that Dimapur’s air quality remains a concern, Tungoe said the programme would focus on reducing particulate matter concentration through greening efforts such as tree plantation and urban forestry. He also emphasized the role of platforms like My Bharat and NYCC in empowering youth to participate in environmental protection and address urban heat challenges.
The run will flag off at Urban Haat, Dimapur at 5 a.m. and will feature four categories—8 km open for men and women, and 4 km junior for boys and girls. The route will cover Purana Bazar, Burma Camp, Khermahal, Clock Tower and culminate outside the DMC office.
Winners in the open category will receive Rs.15,000 and Rs. 10,000, while junior winners will get Rs.10,000 and Rs. 5,000 respectively. Registration is open with a fee of Rs. 300 for the open category, while juniors can register free of cost.
Appealing to citizens, especially the youth, Tungoe urged the people of Dimapur and Nagaland to join the marathon and make it a mass movement. “Dimapur belongs to all of us. If we work together for a cleaner and greener Dimapur, we can breathe fresh air and secure a better future,” he stated.
On the sidelines, when asked about the DMC directive on installing fire extinguishers in shops and establishments, Tungoe said the move has received wide support and appreciation from various organisations. He clarified that the order was made compulsory purely for safety reasons, as fire extinguishers can help control small outbreaks before they spread and cause major damage.
He further stated that while DMC continues its efforts to keep the city and markets clean, it cannot succeed alone and requires the collective support of citizens. “It is not just the responsibility of DMC but of every citizen to come forward and assist in keeping Dimapur safe and clean,” he added.
On the question of deadlines, the CEO assured that adequate time would be given for installation, after which inspections would be carried out and necessary action taken against non-compliance. Addressing complaints from shopkeepers about expired extinguishers, he clarified that each shop must have a functional fire extinguisher and outdated ones must be replaced.