Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM TR Zelaing and Chief Secretary J Alam during the inauguration of MLCP at NST Bus Station on November 4 in Kohima. (DIPR Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 4
Adding major assets to the State capital Kohima and bringing relief to the busy streets, two Multi Level Car Parkings (MLCPs) facilities have been formally inaugurated today by Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas and Nagaland’s Governor La Ganesan in the presence of Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Advisor Zhaleo Rio.
The process of the completion of these two MLCPs at NST bus station and Old Medical Directorate (PR Hill) has been executed through Kohima Smart City Mission. These MLCP was initially sanctioned by Ministry of Urban Development under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme.
Inaugurating MLCP at NST Bus Station, Puri said that North-East and Nagaland occupy a very special space in the heart of Prime Minster Narendra Modi. The Union minister emphasised the Union Government's commitment to the development of the NE states, with Nagaland being in the highest priority. He assured to assist the State in term of larger capital intensive projects and even some small initiatives but of very important projects.
Puri also shared his admiration for the natural beauty of Nagaland, particularly during his visit to Tuensang today, and commended the people for their heritage, culture, and traditions. On women reservation, he called upon the women in the NE states to take advantage of the same when it becomes operational after the next census and delimitation.
‘Better amenities should not stop here’
Inaugurating MLCP at Old Medical Directorate, Ganesan said for some years, Kohima has grappled with a challenging issue – the problem of traffic and parking. He said Kohima is growing by leaps and bounds in terms of area as well as population and the relentless urban growth couples with increased vehicle usage, has invited parking chaos, burdening the city roads and hindering day-to-day lives.
“Today, we stand here collectively, taking a significant stride towards restoring order, alleviating parking troubles, and heralding a new era of urban modernity. The inauguration of these multi-level car parkings marks a watershed moment in our city's infrastructure development journey. It is a step in the right direction towards becoming a smart city – a city with smart infrastructure as well as smart citizens” Ganesan said.
“Let the inauguration of these multi-level car parkings serve as the embodiment of progress and innovation here in Kohima, transcending beyond alleviating our parking woes,” he added.
Today, we are taking that significant step towards a more systematic, organised Kohima. Our efforts for better lives and better amenities should not stop here and every citizen is a stakeholder in its progress towards modernity, the Governor urged.
Lauding the state government and the Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs for the achievement, he said: “This inauguration represents the commitment of the Government to serve the people and to progress and march towards prosperity.”
About 4, 01, 696 vehicles in Nagaland
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed gratitude to the Union Government of India for funding MLCP projects in Kohima. He also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and his infrastructural developmental activities, maintain that the latter had “accelerated the developmental activities” in all sectors.
Rio thanked KSCDL CEO Er K Theunuo and team, concerned departments, engineer wings and the contractors for quality job on the projects. Nagaland has the highest number of vehicles in the north east on population-car ratio, Rio said.
Nagaland has about 4, 01, 696 vehicles - 1, 65, 791 in Kohima, 1, 20, 938 in Dimapur and 52, 253 in Mokokchung as per 2022 record.
Citing Mizoram state case where one have to have a parking space certificate for buying new vehicle, Rio said “A time will come even in our city that without parking space certificate you will not be able to buy new vehicle.”
He also stressed on the need to follow the traffic rules, adding that Traffic Police should be stricter in exercising traffic regulations.
It is high time that urban development department come up with Building Bye-laws, so that if you build a house you have a space for parking, greeneries, proper drainage and toilet facilities, he said adding “otherwise, our city cannot become smart.”
Rio informed that the State Government is trying to give more funds for improvement of road from T Khel Model village to Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Meanwhile, he also called upon all the stakeholders to rededicate themselves and put combine efforts to make Kohima a better place to live in.
