Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 16
As construction activity increases in Dimapur coupled with poor quality of roads all across the city, it is no wonder that dust pollution has been major source of health hazard for the citizens especially on the busy roads in the main commercial areas.
Not just for health concern but lack of a proper mechanism to check dust emission also affects the overall aesthetics and beauty of the urban landscape giving it a depressing look.
Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) Administrator, Manpai Phom had on August 11 also mentioned during the launch of the ‘Let’s Keep Our City Clean,’ initiative that the dust pollution was a major area where the council was looking into. “We are trying to remove the debris, silts and dust from the road side manually,” he said.
At the same time, he revealed that the DMC was in possession of two road sweeper machines but practically it has not been fully utilised due to several impediments. This includes the onset of monsoon rains which prevents the machines from operating on wet surface roads coupled with the lack of proper metalled roads.
Most of the roads in the city were filled with potholes and have irregular surfaces.
“So at the moment we are not able to engage those machines,” he viewed.
“It is not that we don’t want to use it but practically there are several issues,” he added. For the DMC to do a better job, the administrator stressed on the need to have better road surfaces.
Moreover, he admitted that at present Dimapur’s air pollution was also beyond the permissible limit and thus as the council would be taking up once the weather conditions improve.
Hukato Chishi, Secretary of Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) had further stated on this point that Dimapur continues to fail to meet the air quality standard set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Citizens meanwhile have shared their complaints with combating dust pollution as it gets into their eyes, clothes and forces people to wear masks. This was especially true for those who had to rely on public transport and while walking on foot. A major concern was also on the health effects of school going children and people with ailments with regard to respiratory problems.
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