Kohima smart city gets Sensory Park

Park includes provision for children with special needs, play equipment facilities, Braille wall and sound system for visually challenged children.

Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 25

Sensory Park- an initiative of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL) was formally inaugurated today at Old Assembly Secretariat, Y. Junction Kohima.

The park was inaugurated along with a pay & use toilet by Kenilo Apon, commissioner & secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Nagaland. The Sensory Park and pay & use toilet is a project under Smart City Mission, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

“Today, we are living in a fast changing world and it is vital that we know how to adapt ourselves with the changing scenario, situation and time,” Apon remarked.  

Stating that government has been creating infrastructural development for the people, Apon also urged upon the public to do their part by paying the fees for maintenance of the park or other facilities.

Amount will go to government as revenue and that revenue collection from the government side will continue to create new infrastructure for the public, he said.

Many things are coming up within a short span of time through Smart City Project, Apon said while adding, that if cooperation is there, development will continue and within no time Kohima will be a better city to live in. If good understanding and cooperation is there, we can do many new things and together we can change for better especially for this state capital Kohima town, he added. 

Er K Theunuo, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) KSCDL informed that, in a first of its kind, Kohima Smart City has developed Sensory Park on the rooftop of  public pay & use toilet covering an area of about 350 Sqm under Smart City Mission.

The work commenced in June 2022 and completed on April 2023.

This project under Nurturing Neighbourhood Challenge (NNC) is an inspired project that focuses on the neighbourhood level improvement to promote Early Childhood Develop (ECD) and care givers facilities to provide multi-sensory experiences, he said.

The key features of this Park includes provision for children with special needs, play equipment facilities, Braille wall and sound system for visually challenged children.

This Sensory Park is planned and designed in such way that it will aim to enhance the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of our children.

Unlike traditional playgrounds, it is thoughtfully designed to engage all five senses, creating a unique and enriching environment for children to explore and play.

A nurturing environment for early childhood development is essential as it directly impacts a child's physical, cognitive and emotional growth, he said.

On the pay & use toilet facility, Er Theunuo informed that construction of a disabled friendly pay & use toilet with proper sanitation facilities, clean and safe restroom in the middle of Kohima city will definitely address the needs of our citizens/tourists and also persons with disabilities, ensuring their dignity, comfort and accessibility.

Construction of hygienic toilets in & around our city will positively impact the overall ambiance of the city.

Er Theunuo said Smart City mission objective is not only to develop infrastructures or improvement or retrofitting of existing structures but also to create green & safe spaces where children can grow, learn, imagine and play across all neighborhoods, reaching as many families as possible.

We are planning to develop such more projects in Kohima provided land/space are made available and community leaders or stakeholders could participate, he stated.

This initiative will transform the urban landscape into a more caring, compassionate and healthier environment for everyone, especially young children ensuring a brighter future for community as a whole, he added.

The programme was chaired by Yhunchilo Khing, General Manager, Planning, KSCDL while Visato Yhoshii, pastor Union Baptist Church Kohima invoked God’s blessing.