Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) is working on clearing huge quantity of garbage at locations within Dimapur City identified two main areas requiring immediate attention in order to improve the drainage.
It may be noted that during the recent rains the led to flooding from the drainage canals, the chief cause was attributed to dumping of huge pile of garbage that clogged the drains.
Following the recent inspection of Adviser Municipal Affairs Department Zhaleo Rio on—the DMC has been working vigorously to clear all the blocked drains since September 23.
DMC administrator W Manpai Phom informed Nagaland Post, that the ongoing clearing and cleaning works have were in full swing after the directives issued by Adviser Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department Zhaleo Rio to clear drains and encroachment and the special grant given by Dimapur District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) chairman and Adviser Labor, Employment & Skill Development and Excise Moatoshi Longkumer.
Phom said though there were many areas requiring intervention, DMC had identified the drain behind Christian Higher Secondary School (CHSS) and the Vilhume/SM Colony/Hospital drain for immediate cleaning. He said workers had been employed to clean both the clogged drains.
DMC supervisor Samuel Rao, in-charge of the drain cleaning at CHSS, informed that 12 labourers and four DMC workers were deputed at the cleaning sites. He mentioned that the cleaning had started from New Market area on September 23 and was now headed towards CHSS.
On the difficulties faced while undertaking the task, Rao lamented that some residents still threw waste into the drain even while the cleaning operation was going on. He also said there were some positive feedbacks also from passers-by for the cleaning drive.
Phom also said disposal of waste into the drains was a significant factor that contributed to drains being clogged and resulting in floods in Dimapur. Phom re-stressed on collective and individual responsibility as being crucial in mitigating the flood problem. He also urged upon to refrain from dumping waste into drains and to actively engage in maintaining clean surroundings.
He said clogged drains can be prevent if only public realize the consequences as witnessed during the recent flood and inundation of rains.
He also reiterated that rampant encroachment on drains by individuals has impeded flow of water and exacerbated flood situations in Dimapur. Therefore, Phom called for scientific planning and implementing a systematic drainage system in Dimapur to solve the perennial problem.
He revealed that a joint committee comprising officials from the district administration, DMC, District Land Record and Survey Officer, and Urban Development has been constituted to address the issue of encroachment into drains.
He said the survey and inspections revealed instances of encroachment that would be rectified in the near future.
Asked about DMC’s plan of introducing waste segregation, Phom said segregation of dry and wet waste would be carried out in Duncan Basti and River Belt Colony (Ward 11), and New Market (Ward 19).
He also informed this reporter that smaller vehicles would be introduced to collect wet waste in the wards mentioned, while the trucks would continue to be used to collect dry waste on alternate days.
On the distinction between dry and wet waste, he explained that wet waste comprised of biodegradable materials, while dry waste constituted non-biodegradable items such as plastics.
The DMC administrator expressed gratitude to advisor Moatoshi Longkumer for facilitating a special package from the MLA Common Pool to procure vehicle for the DMC’s operations. He anticipated that waste collection would commence from the second week of October.