DIMAPUR, June 30 - A State level consultative meeting on Smart City Mission Round 2 was convened in the conference hall of the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Social Security & Welfare Kiyanilie Peseyie underscored that it is the duty of the entire citizenry to try and contribute their best to translate the dream for Kohima Smart City project into a reality. Stressing on the spirit of spreading the message of urban transformation to all parts of the country for which the Government of India provided another opportunity to 23 States/UTs, including Kohima, he said this gave Kohima an opportunity to submit the proposal of Smart City in a special fast track challenge.
He said since last quarter of 2015, campaigns, consultations with public, consultative meets of all heads of departments have been held. Besides, officials representing the State Government and urban local bodies attended Idea Camp and workshop on Smart Cities organised by Ministry of Urban Development in Delhi, he added.
The Minister also said that basing on consultations with citizens from all the 19 wards in Kohima and NGOs like Kohima Chamber of Commerce, it is found that urban mobility, drainage and sewage system, water supply, IT&C, solid waste management and public walkways remain utmost concern of the public. 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 gave a brief history of Kohima Smart City Mission and how it failed to qualify in the 1st round. He said Kohima has been selected as the Smart City for the State of Nagaland, and therefore this round of consultative meeting was held in order to submit the proposal to the Union Ministry as well as to qualify in the second round of competition.
While delivering the key-note address, Secretary, Municipal Affairs, High Power Steering Committee, Kohima Smart City Mission, Dr Maongwati Aier said three international agencies namely World Bank, Asian Development Bank and London School of Economics have been actively involved and supervising the ongoing mission on regular basis. As of now, 40 departments have given their support, he said and urged all the AHODs/HODs to come forward and be a part of this mission, he said.
State Consultant on Smart City Kohima from New Delhi gave a power point presentation on upgraded Kohima Smart City proposal which is to be submitted to the Ministry on or before June 30, 2016. The total amount proposed to be incurred in this Smart City Mission project is Rs 1,902 crore.
