EM Kohima Correspondent
Refusing to be disillusioned even after failing to make it
in the first and fast track selection rounds of the Centre’s ambitious Smart
Cities Mission (SCM), Kohima is yet again gearing up with a lofty vision to
compete with over 40 cities across the country in the second round selection
process which is slated to commence from June 30.
The government of India has, through the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), launched its Smart Cities Mission in 2015 focusing on economic growth, local self development, retrofitting and redeveloping cities, and application of smart solutions through 100 selected cities within five years.
Following Kohima being named to enter the countrywide competition from Nagaland, the department of Municipal Affairs and the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) along with their official consulting firm Gurgaon-based Voyants Solutions Pvt. Ltd. had drawn up the Kohima smart city plan. However, the proposal failed to make the shortlist in the first round competition in December 2015 and the upgraded version also fell short of 3 points in the fast track selection round April last.
With the second round competition scheduled to begin from June 30 next, a Rs.1902 crore worth Kohima smart city project plan is being put together with an improvised strategy as per the gaps identified by the MoUD, informed authorities at a state level consultation meeting held here on Tuesday.
It was learnt that among the suggestions made by the Ministry for Kohima smart city plan were to rephrase the pan-city proposal to a more positive characteristic and to strike a viable balance in the financial (revenue generation) aspect.
Addressing the meeting today at the conference hall of the state Civil Secretariat, minister for Social Security & Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie underscored that it is the duty of the citizens to contribute their best to translate the dream for Kohima smart city project into a reality. He appealed for the participation of every citizen and all the departments to extend their cooperation and support to the government so that the aims and objectives of the smart city project can be fully achieved.
Parliamentary secretary for Municipal Affairs, R Tohanba
while delivering the welcome address gave a brief background of how the Kohima
smart city plan had been formulated.
In his keynote address, secretary for Municipal Affairs and secretary High Power Steering Committee for Kohima Smart City Mission, Dr. Maongwati Aier highlighted the potential aspects of Kohima that could propel it to becoming a smart city. He said that out of the Rs.1900 crore total capital for the project, Rs.950 crore is anticipated to be funded through PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) and convergence of funds from different departments.
Aier said that three international agencies - World Bank, Asian Development Bank and London School of Economics have been actively involved in supervising the project as well, while 40 state departments have given their support towards the Kohima smart city project.
He also voiced optimism that the French Development Agency had recently met the state Chief Minister for setting up of a Rs.402 crore worth cable car ropeway/aerial tram facility in Kohima, stating, this could greatly contribute towards the Kohima smart city vision.
Minister for Roads & Bridges, Y Vikheho Swu pointed out that “no matter how much we plan”, the land stability of Kohima will remain a huge threat and as such, soil stabililzation measures need to be taken into account.
Other points of concern that were raised by officials from different departments included the need to implement strong building by-laws; whether the much highlighted PPP mode projects could really take off in a state like Nagaland where individual landowners play a major role; if the smart city plan could actually take off without implementing the 33% women reservation in elections for municipal bodies; the need to have a strong disaster management system as Kohima along with the rest of the state lies on Seismic zone-V; power issues; drainage system, waste management, roads and traffic etc.
To these points of apprehension, Dr. Maongwati Aier assured
that they were taken into consideration and arrangement and measures were being
undertaken.
On engaging the citizens, which is a major aspect of developing smart city project, but seemed to have less participation as pointed out by an official, Aier claimed that “hundreds and thousands of young people” have responded to the Kohima smart city plan and they have shared their views and opinions.
The meeting was attended by ministers, parliamentary secretaries, additional chief secretary & development commissioner RB Thong, Administrative Heads of Departments and HODs, who also participated and shared their views during the interactive session.
(Al Ngullie, June 21, 2016. Eastern Mirror)
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