Considering the urban infrastructure deficit, the advisor urban development, S.I. Jamir, has expressed concern over the “alarming pace of urbanization” in Nagaland. He cautioned that “at this rate urban population would take overtake the rural population in the near future”.
S.I Jamir was speaking as chief guest at the foundation stone laying programme for construction of children’s park under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by Kohima Municipal Council and Urban Development department at new reserve Phesama here on Friday.
Urban Development advisor pointed out that during the census 2011, the rural area recorded negative 14% growth rate while urban area recorded 69%.
He maintained that this scenario presented a number of challenges to urban policy makers and planners on several issues including availability of infrastructure services, poverty, housing, proliferation of slums, employment, solid waste, environment, traffic and transportation. Jamir said whatever limited internal revenue the state generated was mostly from the urban areas.
Since Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963, he said total population had increased by 5.3 times in terms of absolute number while urban population increased by 18.4 times, which, he described was “remarkable”.
Jamir also said that the state has recorded the highest rate of urbanization in India during the last two censuses 2001 and 2011. During 2001, he said the average rate of urbanization at the national level was 21% but Nagaland recorded 69%.
Disclosing that the centre has earmarked untied fund of 10% of total allocation under AMRUT as incentives to states that were able to achieve reforms, the advisor said if state was to avail the incentives, “we should be prepared to undertake reforms, which require the cooperation of the stakeholders.”
Asserting that the state was strategically located for India’s Act East Policy, he urged the department officials to be prepared mentally and technically to face the challenges of urbanization.
Delivering keynote address, urban development director, Ken Keditsu, stated that for the financial year 2015-16 an amount of Rs. 34.98 crore was sanctioned (central share Rs. 31.48 crore and state share Rs. 3.50 crore) and administrative and office expenses at Rs. 97 lakh.
He said the projects included drainage system and parks at Rs. 14.04 crore in Kohima and water supply, sewerage and septage management, urban transport and green spaces/parks at Rs. 20.94 crore in Dimapur.
On the financial outlay for 2016-17, Keditsu informed that an amount of Rs.40 crore has been allocated (central share Rs. 36 crore and state share Rs.4 crore) while administrative and office expenses at Rs. 96 lakh.
He said the projects to be taken up were storm water drainage and a park in Kohima and water supply, storm water drainage and a park in Dimapur.
Further, Keditsu also highlighted some of the milestones achieved under the scheme. UD director said AMRUT was a programme for the ULBs, however, he added that since ULBs were not properly equipped with technical staffs at the moment, the ministry has given a provision in the guidelines that state government could execute the projects by parastatal agencies of the state or central government.
In this regard, he said a Memorandum of Understanding would have to be executed amongst the state government, the parastatal agencies and the concerned municipality.