Zhaleo asks Adm to identify and remove illegal structures in Dimapur

Wraps up 2-day inspection exercise of flood-prone areas

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 25

The Advisor to the Departments of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, wrapped up his two-day inspection of flood-prone areas, especially drainages, in the Dimapur municipal area on September 24. After inspecting residential neighbourhoods in the city on day 1, Sunday’s inspection was largely focused on the commercial centres, which were inundated by floodwaters after the recent bout of rains. 

He was accompanied by a team of officials from the Dimapur district administration, Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Dimapur Police Commissionerate, Urban Development Department and the Chief Medical Office.

According to Zhaleo, besides identifying problem areas, the intent was to locate illegal structures over or blocking drainages and exploring ways to improve the drainage system. 

Addressing a press conference after wrapping up the inspection exercise, he lamented the lack of civic responsibility among the citizenry. He claimed that the city is well covered by drainages, with only a few areas needing coverage, but that the people still disposes solid waste into drainages. 

Placing the onus on the people, he appealed the citizenry to inculcate healthy garbage disposal practices recognize the purpose of drainage. He said, “Unless citizens come forward and inculcate a culture of cleanliness and proper disposal of garbage, nothing much would happen.” 

While stating that the DMC has been doing its job quite satisfactorily, he informed that many development works are in the pipeline. He did not divulge details about the works in the pipeline however.

Illegal structures
He said that during the inspection, the team took note of encroachment and illegal structures constructed over drainages. In this regard, he informed that the district administration has been requested to take the necessary initiative to identify and remove such structures. He added that the offenders should be given a timeframe and if they do not comply, the rule of law has to be applied. According to him, the space once occupied by illegal structures can be turned into parking spaces.

Non-existent waste segregation
Flooding in Dimapur has been the result of a combination of factors, natural as well as human-made. Over and above, illegal structures, non-existent waste segregation at source and throwing of solid waste into the drainages have remained a major contributor bringing to fore the obvious lack of a dedicated waste segregation facility.

When this was pointed out to the Advisor, he said that if there is the need for a waste segregation unit, the proposal should come from the ULBs. “We will surely explore it,” he said.

The DMC Administrator, Manpai Phom, added that there have been offers from the private sector for jointly setting up and operating waste segregation units on PPP mode. He informed that basic models can cost around Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 cr. But with the DMC waste disposal ground handling daily waste collection ranging from 80 to 100 metric tonnes, including waste generated from places located beyond the municipal limits and a huge stockpile of legacy waste, he said that Dimapur would need a unit with higher processing capacity. 

Nevertheless, he said that the DMC is focusing on introducing waste segregation at source. He maintained that waste segregation at source has to be cultivated as a habit first, for which public cooperation is crucial. 

Meanwhile, he said that the DMC will be introducing smaller and customised waste collection trucks for enhancing accessibility and mobility. Owing to traffic congestion, he said that waste collection is confined to a short period in the morning hours. As a result, he said that the DMC has not able to collect waste from each location on a daily basis.

Flyovers and ring roads
Zhaleo also broached the prospect of decongesting the roads. He recalled that some 10 years ago, there were suggestions from official circles for building some 2-3 road overpasses in the city, which however did not see the light of day. While stating that the Urban Development Department is considering the idea, he said, “We need circular roads and flyovers.” Getting the required funding has been a problem but he claimed that he is pursuing it.

Dengue outbreak not declared an epidemic

Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr Limatula Aier, informed that contrary to reports, the Dengue outbreak in Dimapur cannot be termed to have reached epidemic proportions. Making the clarification at the press conference, addressed by Zhaleo Rio, Advisor to the Departments of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Aier maintained that the Health & Family Welfare has made no such declaration officially. 

“Dengue cases have been more this year but won’t say it is worse,” she said, adding that the H&FW has been undertaking control measures in tandem with awareness campaign. According to her, the present trend points to a plateauing of the outbreak. As per the annual trends in Dimapur, Dengue has been observed to peak by mid-September. 

She maintained that fogging only kills adult mosquitoes, which necessitates the need for reducing/ removing larvae breeding spots in and around the household. She also advised seeking medical assistance, getting blood test done immediately, if the symptoms associated with dengue develop.