A civic challenge

All the factors responsible for the failure to dispose of garbage is probably evident in Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub, which is battling with the weight of its own garbage. Poor disposal has only contributed to the city being overwhelmed by piles of uncollected waste and drains that have virtually disappeared owing to encroachment or being filled up under filth. In several parts, the dirt and stench has become part of everyday life, and frustration among residents is mounting. Much of the anger is directed at the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), which has been accused of being more efficient in collection of taxes than in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. However, placing the blame entirely on one institution oversimplifies a crisis that is both systemic and shared. The DMC’s failures are evidently undeniable. Trucks and machinery essential for waste collection are either broken, misused, or diverted for purposes far removed from public service. During the Swachh Bharat campaign, the city received several trucks and excavators meant for garbage disposal, yet the streets remained dirty. Allegations that these resources were used for other duties instead of sanitation only deepened public mistrust. Equally troubling is the imbalance in staffing: the DMC has too many clerks and too few frontline workers. A city drowning in waste does not need more clerks but cleaners, drivers, and sanitation staff who can tackle the crisis on the ground. However, the failures of the civic body do not absolve the citizens of Dimapur. The city’s drains are clogged not only because of poor maintenance but because residents have either encroached upon them or treat them as dumping grounds. Plastic bags, household waste, and indiscriminate littering have destroyed the drainage system. No municipal effort can succeed if people refuse to exercise basic civic sense. Cleanliness is not just the duty of the government; it is a shared responsibility. Without citizen cooperation, even the best waste management systems will collapse. The consequences of this dual failure are already visible. The old dumping site had to be shut down after becoming a health hazard, and the new site is quickly heading in the same direction. Residents nearby are already complaining of pollution and disease risks. Unless Dimapur adopts scientific waste processing and enforces strict disposal rules, the new site will mirror the disaster of the old one. Time is running out, and the city risks sliding into an environmental catastrophe. This is where the role of the civil administration becomes critical. Garbage and sanitation cannot be left solely to the municipal council. District authorities, health departments, and local governance structures must share responsibility. Waste management is not just about collection; it is about regulation, enforcement, and public awareness. Civil administration must coordinate with the DMC to ensure resources are not misused, rules are enforced, and citizens are educated about their duties. Without this co-responsibility, Dimapur will remain trapped in a cycle of neglect and blame. The way forward requires a twofold approach. The DMC must overhaul its priorities, focusing on functional machinery and frontline workers rather than on tax collection. Public must awaken to their civic duties; recognizing that littering and careless disposal only worsen their own living conditions. And most importantly, the civil administration must step in as a co-responsible authority, ensuring accountability and coordination across departments. Dimapur’s survival depends on this partnership between governance and citizenship. Only when institutions and individuals act together can the city reclaim its streets, its drains, and its dignity.