Proper planning needed for suitable living: KD Vizo

Stressing on the need to have proper planning for suitable living condition, principal secretary to chief minister, K.D. Vizo said it was imperative to engage the community to identify factors affecting them, and find out potential solutions as part of the Kohima Smart City project.
Speaking the 7th anniversary of Kohima Smart City Development Ltd ‘Smart City Mission’ held under the theme “Sabka Bharat, Nikharta Bharat” at capital cultural Hall here on Saturday, he said in order to create a smart city, it was important to educate the public to be smart citizens besides using information and communication technologies extensively to increase operational efficiency
“We should use information and communication technologies extensively to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of services and citizen welfare,” he said.
Vizo further said that incorporating unique culture and traditions into the developmental programs of Smart City initiative would give the people a better sense of identity and belongingness.
He said the two multi-parking project that are in the process of completion, development of Khuochiezie local ground, installation of traffic lights, IT kiosks and CCTVs etc. would go a long way in easing the living standards of the citizens in the capital town.
Vizo said the focus of Smart City Mission was on sustainable and inclusive development to create cities that work for its citizens– liveable, sustainable and thriving and to offer multiple opportunities to its people to pursue their diverse interest.
He, therefore, urged the gathering to build the four pillars of the Smart City Mission– social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, institutional infrastructure, including governance and economic infrastructure.
Vizo also stressed that cleanliness, waste segregation measures, water supply, planning of green spaces and plantation around the city, community facilities and spaces that encourage social interaction, physical activity like jogging, walks, cycling etc. need to be planned and implemented across various zones in the city.
In a region like Nagaland, he said an efficient drainage system was extremely important as this would improve the hygiene of the city, reduce unpleasant odour, spread of diseases and ensure the structural integrity of the pavements and roads.
With public transport and traffic congestion being a major concern for the people, he said short term solutions were not enough and therefore smart city team needed to conduct extensive study and come out with solutions would resolve such issues.
CEO Kohima Smart City Development Ltd Er. K. Theunuo in his keynote address said that the State capital was not only a smart city but also a city of culture in Nagaland adding that KSCDL has adopted interventions in the city services by upholding the rich culture, traditions and identity.
He said Kohima smart city area based development was limited to seven municipal wards covering 280 acres.
Presenting the status of Kohima Smart City project, he said the original project cost of Kohima Smart City was Rs. 1000 crore on the basis of 50:50 funding pattern. However, he said the project cost was revised to Rs. 550 crore due to change of funding pattern to 90:10 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with Centre’s share of Rs. 500 crore and State share of Rs. 50 crore, resulting in cancellation of projects worth Rs. 450 crore.
The CEO informed that Kohima Smart City has completed 17 projects out of 35 projects while some ongoing works like multilevel parking at Old Medical Directorate and NST Bus station, Walk-able Street, Cycle Track were expected to be completed within two-three months.
Some new major projects like City Centre, Local Ground redevelopment, Battle Tank re-development and Community buildings with parking and commercial facilities were to be completed before June 2023, since MoHUA has extended the duration of Smart City projects till June 2023 only beyond which no Smart City projects can be implemented.
Meanwhile, a journey to Kohima Smart City (Visual) was presented on the occasion while EaStory project, Pelenuo, Nancy Magh, Keneiletuo Metha and Japfüphiki Cultural society enthralled the audience with their special presentations. The programme was chaired by GM (Planning) KSCDL Kezhochole Rhetso.