Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 24
Urban Development advisor S.I. Jamir today unveiled a foundation stone for construction of Children’s Park at New Reserve Phesama, Kohima under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) programme, a centrally sponsored scheme.
Two cities were selected for AMRUT programme in Nagaland - Kohima being the state capital and Dimapur for having a population of more than a lakh.
Addressing the gathering, Jamir said that urban areas in Nagaland are crucial to the economic growth of the state. “Whatever limited internal revenue the state generates is mostly from the urban areas,” he said, adding that the speed of urbanization in the state is alarming and disturbing considering the huge infrastructure backlog.
He said since Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963, the total population has increased by 5.3 times in terms of absolute number while urban population increased by 18.4 times which is remarkable.
Nagaland recorded the highest rate of urbanization in India during the last two census 2001 an 2011. During 2001, while the average rate of urbanization at the national level was about 22%, Nagaland recorded 68%. Similarly during 2011, while the average growth rate of urbanization at the National level was 21%, Nagaland recorded 69%.
Stating that the urbanization pace in Nagaland is rather alarming considering the urban infrastructure deficit, Jamir said, “At this rate, the urban population will overtake the rural population in the near future.”
This is evident in the fact that the rural area recorded 14% negative growth rate during the census 2011, whereas the urban areas recorded 69%, he said, adding “This scenario presents a number of challenges to urban policy makers and planners on issues such as availability of infrastructure services, poverty, housing, proliferation of slums, employment, solid waste, environment, traffic and transport.”
He further maintained that since the last couple of years, the Government of India has realized the importance of investment in the urban sector to boost the growth of the country.
With this realization, the Government of India started launching various flagship missions exclusively for the urban centers beginning with the erstwhile JNNURM. With the lessons learnt from the experience of JNNURM, the GoI has launched AMRUT with the objective to improve the quality of urban life through improvement of urban infrastructure.
Kohima, he said, by virtue of being the capital city of the state is fortunate to be selected as one of the 500 Mission Cities in the country under AMRUT.
He said the success of the programme depends on the extent of cooperation of the citizens, authorities and all stakeholders.
“There are various reforms which Kohima Municipal Council as well as the state government has to undertake to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in urban governance,” Jamir stated. He added that the GoI has earmarked untied fund to the extent of 10% of total allocation under AMRUT to provide as incentives to states that are able to achieve reforms.
Urban Development director Ken Keditsu informed that AMRUT is a centrally sponsored scheme and was launched last year by Prime Minister of India.
The Mission’s objective is to provide basic services to household and build amenities in the cities which will improve the quality of life. Keditsu said the Mission aims to take up basic infrastructure projects in 500 cities with a total outlay of Rs. 50,000 lakhs from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
The Mission components are prioritized as follows: water supply, sewerage & septage management, storm water drainage, urban transport and green spaces/parks.
Earlier, the function was chaired by urban development secretary Imjung M. Panger while vote of thanks was proposed by KMC administrator Kovi Meyase.
AMRUT programmes in Nagaland
*FINANCIAL YEAR 2015-16 An amount of Rs. 34.98 crores was sanctioned (Central share: Rs. 31.48 cr & state share: Rs.3.50 cr), A&OE: Rs. 97.00 lakhs. Projects are. 1. Kohima - Drainage system & Parks @ Rs. 14.04 crore. 2. Dimapur - Water supply, sewerage & septage management, urban transport and green spaces/parks @ Rs. 20.94 cr.
*FINANCIAL YEAR 2016-17 An amount of Rs. 40.00 crores has been allocated (Central share: Rs. 36.00 cr & state share: Rs. 4.00 cr), A&OE: Rs. 96.00 lakhs. Projects to be taken up are: 1. Kohima - Storm water drainage & a park. 2. Dimapur - Water supply, storm water drainage and a park.
