Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 15 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has announced the successful completion of a month-long pre-monsoon drainage clearance drive across several flood-prone areas of the city, aimed at improving water flow and reducing the risk of urban flooding during the monsoon season.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, DUCCF leaders said the exercise was carried out in coordination with the district administration and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA).
DUCCF vice president Nzanbemo Lotha informed that the clearance drive commenced on May 16 and concluded on June 12 after nearly a month of continuous operations. The federation president Zasivikho Zakiesato said the initiative was launched following a recent inspection of flood-prone areas by chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, accompanied by government officials and representatives of various civil society organisations (CSOs).
According to Zakiesato, drainage channels were cleared in several vulnerable localities, including East Block, Burma Camp, Namgailong Colony, Rangailong Colony, Police Colony, Nagarjan Police Point, United Colony, SM Colony, Kuda Village, Thahekhu Junction, Sunday Bazaar, Rainbow Colony, New Colony, Zeliangrong Colony, Lengrijan and Kushabill.
He said the operation involved extensive manual labour, with workers and volunteers entering drains to remove blockages. The collected waste was transported and disposed of at the Burma Camp landfill near Sunrise Colony.
On the issue of drainage encroachment, Zakiesato said a drainage survey committee constituted under the district administration in 2023 had already identified several encroached areas, including patta lands. He urged the state government to expedite flood mitigation projects and release adequate funds for demolition and restoration work wherever necessary.
The federation also installed heavy-duty mesh nets at strategic locations, including West Yard, Namgailong Colony, the Burma Camp slaughterhouse area and Tata Parking near City Mall, to trap floating waste and prevent drainage blockages.
Zakiesato clarified that the project was executed with a sanctioned budget of Rs 25 lakh, of which only Rs 22-23 lakh was utilised. He said the remaining Rs 2 lakh had been returned to the authorities, dismissing speculation regarding inflated project expenditure.
DUCCF president acknowledged the support extended by advisor for tribal affairs and election, Tovihoto Ayemi; advisor for labour, employment, skill development and excise, Moatoshi Longkumer; Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI); Naga Council Dimapur; Naga Women Hoho; and GB Union Dimapur Sadar.
Providing details of the operation, DUCCF general secretary Bokato Wotsa said drainage cleaning covered 13 colonies along the East Block-SM Colony stretch, 11 colonies between Rainbow Colony and Dilai Gate/Duncan, and six colonies from Zeliangrong Colony to Christian Higher Secondary School. Additional cleaning works were also undertaken in Urban Housing, Burma Camp, Red Cross Colony, Central Colony and Kuda Village.
Wotsa said workers recovered large quantities of waste from the drains, including plastic bags, animal carcasses and construction debris. He also expressed concern over instances of toilet outlets being illegally connected directly to drainage channels instead of proper septic systems.
DUCCF information secretary Arang Pongen said flooding in Dimapur had worsened over the last 15 to 20 years due to rapid urbanisation, encroachment on natural drainage channels and indiscriminate waste disposal.
He urged residents to refrain from constructing buildings near drains and streams and called upon government departments to install additional protective nets at vulnerable points such as New Field Check Gate, Dilai Gate and Nagarjan Police Point.
Meanwhile, DUCCF vice president P. Vikheto Chisho clarified that Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) was carrying out drainage maintenance in separate designated areas and that the federation’s drive did not cover the entire town.
Expressing hope that the clearance exercise would improve drainage efficiency, he cautioned that low-lying areas such as SM Colony could still experience flooding during periods of intense rainfall. He appealed to residents to cooperate in maintaining drainage systems and preventing further encroachments to minimise future flood risks.