Pre sorting unsegregated waste at the solid waste management site in Lerie, Kohima. (KMC file Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 7
The Committee on Environment & Climate Change (2026- 2027) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has recommended for revival of Kohima Solid Waste Management Plant, which has been non-functional since 2019 due to the shortage of man power, road damage caused by landslide and improper segregation of wet and dry waste by the citizens.
This was stated in the 1st comprehensive report of the Committee presented by CoECC chairperson Achumbemo Kikon in the recent 9th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Mentionably, the Committee along with NLA Secretariat officials, representatives from Kohima Municipal Council, Urban Development department and State Mission Director, SBM undertook a sport verification of the Plant on 1st May 2025.
The report stated that the Kohima Solid Waste Management Plant was set up by the Urban Development Department through funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and handed over to the KMC and later leased to Ramki Company, Hyderabad.
This project includes solid waste management facility which features a 50 tons per day compost plant, a sanitary landfill and a leachate treatment plant.
The Plant comprises facilities like; Office Room, Laboratory, Vehicle Garage, Segregation Storage Shed, Sanitary Landfill, Mini Dumper, Mini Excavator, Tractor, Roller, Generator Set, High-Power Transformer, High-Power Controller, Excavator, Mini Tempo along with waste vacuum machine and Automatic conveyor belt
Recommendations made during spot verification
The Committee on learning that the KMC has only 2 sewage suction trucks for the whole of Kohima Municipality, recommended that the Urban Development Department purchase 100 sewage suction trucks.
The Urban Development Department should advertise for revival of the plant and give opportunities to local entrepreneur, the Committee stated.
Reply from department
The Urban Development Department stated in their reply that the estimated requirement for Kohima Town is approximately 4-5 cesspool/desludging trucks, as per the indicative norms under the Faecal Sludge and Septage management (FSSM) framework and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) guidelines. In this regard, the Department has provided 2 cesspool trucks under AMRUT 2.0 on 15 August, 2025 in addition to the existing cesspool vehicle.
However, in view of the Committee's recommendation, the Department has stated that they will assess the requirement and take up the matter with the Government for provision of adequate cesspool/desludging vehicles for KMC.
The Urban Department stated that the matter is under consideration for further necessary action.
The Municipal Affairs Department has also stated that a tendering Committee has been set up vide notification No.MA-2/2025 dated 24 September 2025 and its meeting was held on 13 November 2025.
Recommendations of CoECC
The Committee noted that KMC presently has limited cesspool/desludging vehicles for the entire municipality.
The Committee stated that they are not fully satisfied with the reply furnished by the Department and recommended that the Department undertake a comprehensive assessment of the cesspool/desludging requirements of KMC and take appropriate steps to provide adequate vehicles and related infrastructure and submit an Action Taken Report to the Committee within 3 months from the date of presentation of this Report to the House.
The Committee noted with serious concern that the Kohima Solid Waste Management Plant, established at a project cost of approximately Rs. 48.00 Crore, has remained non-functional since 2019.
The Plant comprises a comprehensive Solid Waste Management facility featuring a 50 tonnes-per-day compost plant, sanitary landfill, leachate treatment plant and other essential machinery and equipment.
“The prolonged idling of such a vital public asset constitutes a serious lapse and has deprived the citizens of Kohima of an efficient and scientific solid waste management system,” the Committee stated.
The Committee was of the view that revival and operationalization of the Plant would significantly improve solid waste management in Kohima and address the growing challenges of waste disposal, environmental sanitation and public health.
Therefore, the Committee, recommended that the Urban Development Department, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and the Department of Municipal Affairs to cooperate in leasing out the Kohima Solid Waste Management Plant, giving due opportunity to local entrepreneurs, and ensure that the facility is made fully operational at the earliest.
The Department shall also address all impediments to the functioning of the Plant, including manpower shortages, road connectivity issues arising from landslides and deficiencies in waste segregation at source.
An Action Taken Report on the measures taken for revival and operationalization of the Plant may be furnished to the Committee within three months from the date of the presentation of this report to the House, the Committee stated in its report.
