Kohima, March 11 (MExN): The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) has urged the newly inducted People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government to pursue the Kohima Smart City project “on a war footing”.
The AKMWP in a press release on Sunday stated that the Kohima Smart City Project had caused much excitement and raised expectations of the masses “that the state capital is all set to be transformed and to catch up with the more advanced, scientifically developed, planned cities, sooner than later.” But of late, the Kohima Smart City Project has gone “eerily quiet” and the public-private partnership and consultations on the matter “appears to have gone into hibernation”, the association contended.
“The public eagerly awaits the practical implementation of the project but do not notice any tangible progress, so far,” the AKMWP added.
The association meanwhile sought to question the implementing agency – the Kohima Smart City Development Corporation Limited – if the funds provided thus far have been utilized for executing any works.
“We are given to understand that the Central Government has released its share of funds – Rs. 107 crores for the project. Subsequently, the Finance Dept. accorded clearance and had made it available for the implementing agency – Kohima Smart City Development Corporation Limited through the Municipal affairs dept. in the first half of 2017,” the association claimed.
“Even after the lapse of about 1 year, the masses are left wondering if the funds are utilized and works executed,” a bemused AKMWP added.
The association however voiced its continued support for the project and reminded that its constituent panchayats have accorded considerable attention and time on the matter.
It also reminded of the mass social work in Kohima “to satisfy a key requirement” of the smart city project – partnership and participation of the public. “On requests of the authority, the Panchayats had also put efforts in preparing and forwarding well considered smart city proposals best suited and required in their respective wards,” it added.
As such, the AKMWP encouraged the concerned authorities to rededicate themselves and pursue the matter while asserting that Kohima Smart City Project cannot be allowed to fade away.
“Time and tide waits for no man, the much promising Kohima Smart City Project cannot be allowed to fade away without producing results,” the association maintained.
