DIMAPUR, APRIL 5 (MExN): Parliamentary Secretary for Urban Development, Zhaleo Rio has appealed for co operation from the people in bringing forth development. Addressing the 3rd Frolic Club Football tournament at Medziphema this morning, Zhaleo expounded on his plans to make Medziphema town a “model satellite township of the commercial capital of the State, Dimapur.”
He urged land owners to “make land available,” if they want the Government to bring development. “Due to lack of proper town planning, Dimapur is now very congested and there is no scope for expansion or improvement of congestion in the city,” he said.
Zhaleo asserted that the only available alternative is to divert settlement, trade and commerce towards Medziphema. He added that Medziphema has vast scope for proper planning and execution, “provided land owners agree to part with their lands at a reasonable and negotiated rate to the Government.”
Later in the day, accompanied by Urban Development officials led by Director of UD, Ken Keditsu; Zhaleo toured Medziphema town surveying for possible routes for a ring road.
He was of the opinion that the present local Play Ground which is located right in the heart of the town, should be shifted elsewhere and the present area be converted into a modern trade centre.
A press note informed that interacting with village and ward leaders, Zhaleo listened to their various complaints. The villagers expressed concern over the allotment of land to individual parties by the government. The note informed that the villagers were ready to buy back the land sold to the government in 1964 at Rs 200 per acre.
Responding to the grievances of the villagers, Zhaleo assured that he would regularly pay surprise visits and those officials found absent from duty without any valid reason would be severely penalised. He also requested the ADC to ensure that officials attend to their duties at all times.
On being informed that the customary court building, completed in 2010 could not be inaugurated, Zhaleo directed the ADC to complete the formalities as soon as possible so that the DBs could move into the building and start functioning without any inconveniences.
He further directed the department officials accompanying him to ask the contractors to hasten the remaining works at the Marketting Shed in Medziphema town. The press release informed that though 65% of the works have been completed, the work has been dragging on for several months for “one reason or the other.”
Public leaders requested Zhaleo to up-grade their existing High School to a Higher Secondary School. He was informed by officials that the proposal for the same was cleared and approved by the District Planning & Development Board some years back but could not be implemented for “reasons unknown to them.”
It was also requested that a Sub Treasury be opened in the town; police out post up-graded as the present police outpost has only 27 personnel and out of these only seven are armed. The opening of a Sub Division Agriculture Officer’s office and Sub Division Education Officer’s office were also requested. Zhaleo assured the leaders that he would take up the matter with the authorities concerned personally.
