Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and others during the training on Urban and Local Resilience for elected Urban Local Body members in Kohima on July 29.
Calls for mandatory soil testing prior to approving projects
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 29
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday urged urban local bodies and town councils to take collective responsibility in building a resilient and sustainable Nagaland, especially in light of increasing vulnerability to natural disasters during the monsoon.
“Never approve a project without a soil test,” the Chief Minister said, while addressing a training session on ‘Urban and Local Resilience’ for elected members of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima.
The training was organised by the Home Department in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Institute of Safety and Security Management (IISSM), and the Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Nagaland.
During the programme, Rio officially launched the state-wide initiative for preparing Departmental Disaster Management Plans (DDMPs).
Calling for stricter scrutiny of construction permits, especially in landslide-prone zones such as the NH-29 corridor, the Chief Minister said a geo-technical report must be made mandatory for all building permits. He added that due to Nagaland’s complex, young, and unstable geology, no infrastructure project—be it a home, road, or bridge—should be approved without proper soil and slope stability assessments.
"When you enforce bylaws, you protect a child’s future," Rio told the ULB representatives, urging them to embrace the spirit of resilience and act not just as administrators but as protectors of Naga lives.
“Challenge every corrupt builder. Mobilise your colonies, wards, and khels. Let Nagaland become India’s model for mountain resilience,” he said.
Referring to recent monsoon events, the Chief Minister noted that heavy rains this year led to widespread flooding in Dimapur markets and residential areas, as well as parts of Chümoukedima and Niuland, affecting both lives and livelihoods.
“Every monsoon, we see the cost of ignoring our fragile land. Your signature on a building permit can save a family. Your vigilance can prevent many man-made disasters,” Rio added.
He called on urban centres to rise with the wisdom of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and implement building bye-laws strictly. “No structure in Kohima or any hill town of Nagaland should be built without compliance to safety standards,” he said.
Need for flood resilient infrastructure
Dr Rio also emphasised the need for flood-resilient infrastructure, particularly in low-lying areas of Dimapur, including raised plinths, stormwater drainage channels, and the removal of illegal encroachments along riverbanks and hillsides.
He called for issuing stop-work orders for non-compliant construction and demolishing structures on landslide-prone slopes and flood channels.
Highlighting the critical role of ULBs in monsoon preparedness, the Chief Minister said their collaboration with state agencies and communities is essential to mitigate flooding, landslides, waterborne diseases, and infrastructure damage.
On solid waste management (SWM), Dr Rio stressed the need to intensify garbage collection in vulnerable areas to prevent drains from getting clogged. He also called for better management of waste disposal sites to reduce surface runoff.
Addressing the politically and socially sensitive issue of illegal constructions on floodplains and drainage channels, Rio acknowledged the challenges but urged urban authorities to act in the interest of public safety.
The event was also addressed by Advisor for NSDMA and NRE Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio, Head of UNDRR Incheon Office Sanjaya Bhatia, and Santosh Kumar, CEO of IISSM.
The programme was chaired by Khrolou Koza Lohe, Assistant Manager for Training and Education, NSDMA. The welcome address was delivered by Home Commissioner Anoop Khinchi. Dr. Johnny Ruangmei, Joint CEO of NSDMA, briefed participants on the objectives of the training. Acknowledgements were led by Keren Rose, Assistant Manager (Media & PR), NSDMA, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Thejangulie Zao, Assistant Manager (Project & Resources), NSDMA.
