By - Imkong Walling
Imagine Dimapur’s Naga Shopping Arcade, unofficially Super Market, in its early years. Fresh and orderly, the sprawling 30 odd acres of planned business space would have served as background for a myriad of photographs back in the day, while commerce flourished. At one point, in its early avatar, it even boasted of a fountain.
Conceptualised in the 1970s, and constructed in phases by the Development Authority of Nagaland throughout the 80s, it had things working in its favour. The small town it was located in was growing commercially; alongside, a seemingly ambitious state government raring to turn the built-up space into an entrepreneurial hub for the youth of the state.
The concept, essentially, was to allot space — some 500 rooms in total— at minimal costs, strictly for business. By the early 80s, the first ‘phase’ of the market complex was completed, and several ‘educated unemployed’ youths at the time reportedly applied and were allotted rooms. As envisioned, the youths set up shop, the products ranging from clothes and shoes to electronics, stationery, groceries and fast food.
In the words of one of the early allottees, business went well, initially. They were able to afford rent. However, not long after, business took a dive and the allottees called it quits. While some of the allotments were cancelled, others began subletting to third parties for use as residential quarters.
It allegedly was the beginning of allotments put to use for purposes not originally intended, and a source of conflict between the DAN and tenants.
Then there was government interference. The very idea of inducing entrepreneurial spirit got diluted as people in positions of government grabbed allotments as well.
Meanwhile, the physical structures went into disrepair. The parts built in the initial phase went out of use by the time the entire complex took shape.
Thanks to an allegedly ill-designed drainage, or overall neglect, rooms in the basement became uninhabitable due to constant water-logging, ensuring wastage of capital investment and loss of potential upkeep revenue.
Some 30-40 years after the ambitious project took shape, there is a rumoured move by the government to demolish the market complex and replace it with a shopping mall. It sounds cool to the ear, but really?
Not far from it, there stands a formerly ‘Shopping Complex and Parking Plaza,’ worth over Rs 40 crore, at Forest colony, that saw no business for more than a decade after it was built.
The Government of Nagaland has an uncanny knack for conjuring grandiose ideas that seldom include efficiency, and transparency, when put to practice; in the process, putting to waste public funds— taxpayer money.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
