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Our Correspondent
Kezocha, March 17 (EMN): Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire on Thursday said that ‘changes have come’ to the state under the present government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
He was addressing the inaugural programme of a housing and slum development project (under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme) at Kezocha town under Kohima district.
Kire said that Kohima now has a world standard cultural hall and parking lots are almost completed, and would be functional in a few months’ time.
He also highlighted that Kohima was once listed in the most unliveable city category, ‘but the standard is improving with time’.
Meanwhile, he assured the people of Kezocha that it (department) would bring the required facilities and the much-needed water supply, while urging them to support the government and take care of public facilities as their own by keeping the places clean.
Further, Kire asked the people of the state not to let politics hamper development, but pave the way for the same.
Meanwhile, Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Zale Neikha said that people from the Kezochazou range were grateful to the department for providing the facility at Kezocha.
While maintaining that Kezochazou has a beautiful landscape with potential to set up more developmental projects, he acknowledged the landowners for generously providing land for development activities.
Neikha stated that the present government under the leadership of the present chief minister had visions and plans for development of the state; however it was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, although it is picking up now.
He asserted that a stable government is a requisite for development, and in this regard, Neikha urged the people to stand by the government and have an understanding to strengthen the leadership of Rio, while assuring that development will take place in phase-wise manner.
Presenting the technical report about the project, Additional Chief Engineer, Urban Engineering Wing, Kevide Nakhro said it was funded under the 10% lump sum scheme for north-eastern states including Sikkim, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (erstwhile Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation) in 2010, with a cost of INR 498.92 lakh (Rate of NPWD SOR 2013).
He informed that the funding pattern was 90% (Central share): 10% (state share) with the Centre chare standing at INR 449.03 lakh and state’s share at INR 49.89 lakh.
The contractor of the project is M/s T Tachu & Co.
The facilities included one community hall (plinth area: 249.48 sqm) with a sitting capacity of 200 persons, and 70 dwelling units (DU) in two blocks (North and South - 35 DUs each). The project also included the approach road, footpath, drainage, water supply, electrification and public toilets.
The official also informed that the dwelling units would be handed over to the beneficiaries through the administrator of Kezocha town.
Meanwhile, Kezochazou Range Development Board Chairman, Vipopal Kintso said that the range comprises of seven villages, and thanked the people involved in completion of the project.
He urged the government to make the assets functional and also provide required facilities to the people.
Earlier, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire inaugurated the facilities in the presence of Zale Neikha, Advisor Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor KT Sukhalu, MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro, department officials and community leaders.