The chief minister informed that during the 2011 census count, Nagaland urban population was 28.86 percent with a growth rate of 66.70 percent recording the highest growth rate at the national level
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said on Tuesday that urbanization in Nagaland is growing at a rapid pace in terms of population agglomeration in cities and towns of the state. Rio was addressing at the inaugural programme of the upgradation of Dimapur Town Hall, Naga Shopping Arcade, Super Market, Dimapur.
The chief minister informed that during the 2011 census count, Nagaland urban population was 28.86 percent with a growth rate of 66.70 percent recording the highest growth rate at the national level. The world is expected to host 68 percent of urban population by the year, 2050 as per the World Bank studies and India is projected to surpass the rural population in the next 26 years with 60 percent urban inhabitants, he added.
Neiphiu Rio said that the urbanization not only included in megacities across the world but also happening in the state, which is one of the most far-flung frontier states of the Indian Union where the importance given urban development becomes more imperative as the urban centres are the “engine” of economic growth of the state.
He further said that the massive transition from “rural to urban” society in Nagaland, and Dimapur being one of the oldest urban business hubs of the state is characterized with “heterogenous” population with agglomeration settlements of villages and towns surrounding its immediate neighbourhood and also with all other districts of the state depending upon its transportation services of the railways, roadways, and Airport in Chumoukedima.
Rio also said that the infrastructure availability and accessibility of Dimapur is not only important for its citizens but also for all citizens of the state as he categorically termed that infrastructure itself is the backbone of economic growth, rooted at respective Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
He furthered that through the public support, the Nagaland state government has successfully facilitated the conduct of the ULB elections 2024 in 25 ULB across the state and the successful conduct of the ULB elections in the state began the “third tier” governance for the ULBs in the state.
Rio later said that his government is in full support of building a resilient infrastructure for its state, urban and rural alike, and to sustain that “created public asset” for a better tomorrow strongly depends upon its upkeep by citing that for years, its has been observed that decency of maintaining those public assets created by the “forerunners” were neither maintained nor upgraded to its optimum usages.
In this regard, he said that the town hall being “prime location” of Dimapur, strategically located where it is easily accessible for the people, also highlighted that the constitution of Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN) in 1976, constituted from the provisions of the Nagaland Town and Country Planning Act, 1966 then, was conceived with a vision and the importance of all round development of citizens, including the physically and mentally and for artistic development.
The Nagaland chief minister also said that the Dimapur town hall upgradation project improvised the facility with modern durable materials and a robust acoustic treatment of walls, flooring, and ceilings, while adding that the audio and lighting systems, safety measures, power back-up and centralized air conditioning besides other civil works and beautification has been done.
This up-gradation project, Rio said has provided an improved comfort for public use which reduces “greenhouse gas” emissions compared to a newly constructed project.
He further referred the inauguration as “Christmas Gift” to the netizens of Dimapur.
Rio was accompanied by host of cabinet ministers including deputy chief minister, TR Zeliang, advisors, MLAs, and NDPP president, Chingwang Konyak.
Nagaland’s Advisor, Tribal Affairs and Election, H Tovihoto Ayemi, in his speech termed the day as “momentous” for Dimapur and its residents as one “celebrate” the inauguration of the new state-of-the-art town hall, Dimapur, which he termed it as the “beginning of a new chapter” for the communities that embodies its commitment to progress and service.
Recollecting that the very first foundation stone of the Dimapur Town Hall was laid down by the then Nagaland chief minister, SC Jamir, in 1986, but over the course of time, the condition of the building (hall) gradually depleted and even leading it to totally shutdown.
Today, as he said, the long felt need to have a proper town hall for this “cosmopolitan city” was finally fulfilled due to the initiative of Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, whose concern for the development and welfare of Dimapur is immense.
Tovihoto also extended his appreciation to all who have been involved in bringing the project to “life” while reminding the public, and the community that the town hall was made with everyone in mind, for everyone, and therefore, it is the responsibility of every citizen to be conscious enough to “love and preserve” the facility, to sensibly use the facility for everyone’s benefit and welfare which is the moral responsibility of any citizens.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Deputy Commissioner (DC), Dimapur, Tinojongshi Chang.
Later on, musical presentations were favoured by artistes under TaFMA.