‘Operation Demolition’ at work again

More than forty ‘illegal’ structures and buildings encroaching on pavements, drains and roadsides, were demolished Monday in major commercial areas of Dimapur, as part of the Dimapur Municipal Council’s (DMC) ‘Operation Demolition.’
Monday’s demolition drive, the fourth in a row, was carried out at West Yard colony, Kalibari Road and the busy Nyamo Lotha Road.
Private houses, commercial buildings and even the property of the Railways and DMC allotted shops built too close to roadsides and pavements, bore the brunt of the DMC’s twin JCB excavators.
Congress MLA Azheto Zhimomi representing Dimapur-III Assembly seat also came and inspected the drive at Kalibari Road, near DMC office.
Asked to comment on the demolition drive, Azheto said he welcomed the DMC’s initiative and said every responsible citizen, irrespective of party affiliations, should welcome the move to make Dimapur more spacious and beautiful.
The MLA said he had in fact, on earlier occasion too impressed on the need to undertake such drives.
Former NSF president Phushika Awomi who was also among the onlookers of a demolition carried out behind DMC Millennium Market, said if the DMC applied the same yardstick to every building, then there was no reason why the public should not cooperate in a drive that was meant for betterment of the city.
He at the same time reminded on the urgent need for DMC to create parking lots.
Businessman and member of Interim Committee, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce, Ahidur Rahman hoped that the ongoing demolition would provide more space to the congested MP Road area. “Due to narrow roads and traffic congestion, business in this area has been badly affected,” he said.
DMC team who supervised the demolition included chairperson Khekaho Assumi, deputy chairperson DP Angami and members Thungchanthung, G Kits, Nungsang Jamir, Simon Yepthomi, Yangertoshi, Lipok Pongen and T Thong.
The DMC also reiterated its appeal to the general public and owners of building to cooperate with the ongoing demolition-cum-beautification drive.
Meanwhile, in continuation to DMC’s earlier order dated June 3, 2008, DMC chairperson Khekaho Assumi in a circular notified owners of RCC buildings encroaching on roadsides to demolish/vacate such buildings within one week, failing which the DMC would demolish those buildings.