An aerial bird’s eye view of Kohima
Abu Metha
Kohima, Nagaland's historic seat of power, holds a special place for many, worldwide. It’s an iconic place, a bustling city in the mountains filled with heritage and vibrancy. The Battle of Kohima changed the course of history here.
For hundreds of people around the globe, especially those whose loved ones lie in rest at the Commonwealth War Graves, Kohima will always be special. For them it will forever remain England, America, Canada, Scotland, etc. Beyond its historical significance, Kohima is poised to transition into a global city, aligning with India's eastward focus on the ASEAN region, home to 10 countries and a vast emerging market.
To secure our rightful place nationally and globally, we must address critical issues, with traffic and public transport taking the forefront. Traffic congestion, notably amplified during events like the Hornbill Festival, poses a significant challenge that demands sincere and committed solutions.
While new roads and parking facilities can help, a pivotal factor lies in developing an efficient public transportation system. Acknowledging the shortcomings in Kohima's current public transport, our city must embrace smart and green initiatives. A fleet of well-maintained electric buses and vehicles can ensure environmental responsibility, reduce pollution, and position Kohima as a smart and green city. We must find solutions that take the citizens away from their personal vehicles for mobility. And here the government agencies and the various departments must lead by example with a regulated transportation plan, restrictions on private cars, and most importantly a plan of action that will significantly reduce public spending on purchase of cars and vehicles. The civil secretariat must lead by initiating a robust and modern transport plan for its employees. It’s also pertinent to point out that the agencies responsible for traffic management must step up.
Even educational educations must come under the city’s transport masterplan and their logistics must be vetted and monitored by the appropriate authority. Likewise, the same should be applied for government institutions. The efforts must be wholesome and collective. If tough decisions are not taken now, the problems will multiply; we must learn from stories and examples great and robust cities that have died or have been left behind.
The Hornbill Festival logjams were amplified due to failures in traffic management. Therefore, our traffic police personnel needs knowledge upgradation, better management skills and the traffic engineering cell, a neglected department, needs to be given a greater role based on technology.
Enforcing public safety norms, upgrading vehicle standards, and ensuring cleanliness are essential to transform public transportation into a service that aligns with citizens' rights. Long-term plans may include transitioning local taxis to CNG and electric, setting time-bound targets.
As we promote Nagaland as a tourist destination, improving service providers, especially taxi drivers and tour guides, is imperative. Communication abilities, knowledge capacity, and hospitality skills must be enhanced, with technology integration for feedback and safety measures.
A cable car network could alleviate road stress and enhance tourism potentials by creating new viewpoints and hotspots. Prioritizing infrastructure for walking, including clean footpaths and public pavements, is essential. Introducing bicycle lanes and green tech public bicycle systems further promotes sustainable mobility.
To sustain these initiatives, a robust economic plan is crucial. Revenue generated should be reinvested for continuous maintenance and technological upgrades. Addressing traffic congestion during events like the Hornbill Festival requires innovative solutions such as shuttle services. We must also reduce or do away with the VIP culture and car passes, that have become a nuisance. Only highest dignitaries and guests should be allowed to drive into the tourist venue.
Modern technology, including phone applications and online systems, should underpin these services for accessibility and efficiency. Embracing a green transportation system becomes the cornerstone of an environmentally responsible approach, positioning Kohima as a modern and tourist-friendly destination.
One plus for Kohima is that, by hill station standards, our roads are wide and spacious. And the bigger plus is that we have discipline on the streets and there is absolutely no cacophony of honking anywhere in town.
Kohima has the definitive potential to emerge as a global city. A connection and a hub between the sub-continent and the ASEAN. While other cities may have the edge in many factors, we have the advantage of geography, history and a special charm that no city in the entire region may have. Here is where the world’s super powers met and here is where history took a different turn. Are we ready to step up?
The writer is Chairman of Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). The views and opinions expressed in this column are his personal observations.
