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DIMAPUR — As part of the Project Readiness Financing (PRF) facility under the Nagaland Urban Infrastructure Development Project, the Project Design and Management Consultant (PDMC) conducted a capacity-building programme for the elected councillors of Dimapur and Chümoukedima at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur on Tuesday.
The one-day orientation programme was funded by the Asian Development Bank and executed by the Urban Development department in collaboration with the PDMC, SMEC International Pvt Ltd.
On the occasion, the institutional expert of the PDMC, Bimal Jha, apprised the participants about the key stakeholders in municipal governance and shared insights on the policy and regulatory framework of urban governance, including the 74th Constitutional Amendment and the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.
Jha also apprised the gathering of the municipal functions as per the 74th Constitutional Amendment, the functions performed by the ULBs, and the challenges faced by ULBs in Nagaland.
He mentioned that mass migration to urban areas has resulted in rapid growth of the urban population, outpacing the expansion of civic facilities in towns and adversely impacting the quality of life.
He added that the systems and processes at the ULB level are inadequate and have not been rationalised for years, noting that the management and governance of institutions like municipalities have been weak.
However, he stated that the newly elected councillors are now accountable for navigating the weak ULBs and must understand the nuances of ULB governance and accountability. He also emphasised the importance of synergy among various stakeholders in urban development.
While interacting with media persons, the team leader of PDMC, Rajib Das, asserted the importance of equipping ULBs with project management skills, which are essential for the continued urban growth in the state.
Das mentioned that this initiative aims to build the understanding and capability of ULBs to manage projects independently, as development is a continuous process, and it is up to the ULBs to sustain and drive it forward.
He noted that the programme will extend to six district headquarters towns, including Kohima, Mon, Tuensang, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, and Wokha, within this month.
Das stated that revenue generation is one of the challenges for the ULBs in Nagaland, but they are providing insights into innovative methods, such as managing parking and solid waste, which can create sustainable revenue streams.
Furthermore, he added that, according to their understanding, the existing situation in Nagaland is that interaction between different departments is lacking. He emphasised the need for cooperation and communication to ensure these projects can take place.
He mentioned that they should study case studies of successful urban management in other regions and implement them here.