Photo Courtesy: KSCDL
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 16
Nagaland's capital Kohima has been shortlisted to the top 25 cities in India in the Cycles4change Challenge. The challenge is an initiative of Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India to inspire Indian Cities to quickly implement cycling friendly initiatives in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Kohima has been selected among 110 cities in the country and is the only Northeast city to make it to the Top 25 list.
“Kohima has been shortlisted to the top 25 from amongst 110 cities. Further on, there will be online presentations about our initiatives and scale up plans and strategies to a panel of judges in the Ministry. Depending on that, the Top 11 cities will finally be selected which will be eligible to the one Crore bonus to put their plans to task,” informed Kovi Meyase, CEO, Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL).
Kohima joined the Cycles4Change Challenge last year in July under the initiative of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL) in partnership with various stakeholders, local champions, and citizens. Following the registration, KSCDL initiated strategic action plans based on three broad principles of 'aggressive social media campaign, community engagement and implementation of pilot intervention' to promote cycling in the city. Several activities have been taken up in the past few months such as free cycle training and workshops, online registration of cyclists and volunteers, online cycling survey, free cycling repair clinic, community-led bicycle rental program, public bicycle pump track (first in the Northeast) and launching of official Kohima Cycles4change promotional videos.
The final stage of selection where 11 cities will be shortlisted for funding for the implementation of the city cycling plan, is expected to be announced in a few weeks time, informed Meyase.
“I urge the citizens to lend their support to the initiative to help transform the city to a cycle friendly city. Health wise and environment wise too, it is a win-win situation for its citizens keeping in mind the post-covid scenario in particular,” noted Meyase.
