Half of State’s population projected to live in urban areas in next 20 years
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flagging off ULBs sanitation vehicles in Kohima on October 2. (Morung Photo)
11 ULBs sanitation vehicles, 19 Smart vehicles flagged off
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 2
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said in the next 20 years or so, half of the population of Nagaland is expected to be living in towns and cities.
“Therefore, there is an urgency to have a new perspective on our priorities in providing amenities to the urban dwellers,” Rio said.
He addressing the statewide mass Shramdaan on plastic waste of Swachhata Hi Seva – (Cleanliness Is Service) 2019 and the state level programme for Kohima Smart City Mission; SBM - Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban); Pradhaan Mantri Awas Yojana- Housing for all (Urban), here at the NBCC Convention Hall.
Since Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963, the total population had increased by 5.3 times in terms of absolute number, while urban population increased by 18.4 times which is remarkable, he added.
Stating that urbanisation has a great influence on climate change, Rio underscored the urgent necessity of “energy-efficient housing, measures to reduce traffic and vehicle emissions besides promoting non-motorized transport.”
Many smaller towns are also mushrooming in different parts of the state without any intervention in town planning, he said.
These small quasi-urban settlements, such as administrative headquarters and small scale industrial townships, are growing and inheriting urban characteristics and requires planning intervention, he added.
“Urban areas are centres of economic activities and engines of growth and are crucial to the economy of a state for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth,” Rio said.
He said that all over the world, people are migrating to the urban areas in search of jobs and better livelihood and the state of Nagaland is no exception.
Rapid urbanisation
According to data from the Census of India, the state had only one statutory Town from 1901 to 1951. In 1961, the numbers rose to 3 and remained so till 1980. However, the number of towns rose to 7 in 1981. It increased to 9, including one census town by 1991 and remained so till 2001. As per the 2011 Census, there are 19 recognized towns.
Highlighting the rapid urbanization, Rio informed that in 1901, the total urban population was only 3,093 or a mere 3.05% of the total population.
“Since then, the urban population of the state has been rising steadily which is rather alarming considering the deficits in the urban infrastructure,” he said, adding, Nagaland has recorded highest urbanization rate in the nation during the last two consecutive census 2001 and 2011 at 69.44% and 66.70% respectively. During Census 2011, the rural areas recorded a (-) 14% negative growth rate.
Stating that provision of quality and adequate housing to the urban dwellers has become an urgency due to alarming increase of such cohorts, he said the Government of India has launched the Pradhan Mantra Awaz Yojana - Housing for All (Urban) with the objective to provide quality housing to all urban dwellers by 2022.
5 more Water ATMs in state capital
Earlier, Rio released anti-plastic theme song and promotional video on the 100 Days special initiatives on sanitation and angikaar video on 8 verticals. He also launched 5 Water ATMs which are placed in strategic locations with the sole intention of discouraging bottled drinking water.
Rio also distributed cloth bags to the 19 wards of Kohima town including 100 days challenge award for best sanitation and best eco activity.
He also flagged off 11 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) sanitation vehicles while urban development and municipal affairs advisor, Dr Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire flagged off 19 Smart vehicles.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kire said that SBM (Urban) is implementing various activities in 19 ULBs across the state.
The SBM have assisted individual households for construction of 16,015 numbers of individual toilets and assisted for construction of 235 Community toilets in the 19 ULBs during the last 5 years, he informed.
For solid waste management, the Department had procured and distributed 54 numbers of various machineries and vehicles to the Municipal and Town Councils for collection and disposal of waste, he said.
However, there are still much more effort to be taken in the area of waste management, Kire maintained.
The urban areas of Nagaland have been declared as Open Defecation Free along with the rest of the country, he said.
In Nagaland, 14 towns have been selected for angikaar campaign which will cover 12,389 beneficiaries who availed 1st installment under the PMAY (U) Mission, he added.
