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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 22 (EMN): The Kohima Smart City Development Ltd. (KSCDL) has opened a children-friendly park renamed as 'Unity Park' in Kohima with an aim to create free space for them in the empty pockets alongside the street.
Located near Cathedral Catholic Church in Kohima at New Minister's Hill Ward, the space was designed and equipped with a specific focus on children.
Inaugurating the park, advisor of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, stated that the stretch from the Viewpoint to Cathedral is always filled with people and therefore the park was created in an "appropriate place.” He also proposed putting up some lights in the area to discourage anti-social activities at night in particular.
He informed that smart city is trying to bring out similar projects in other areas/wards but the main challenge has been whether there would be space available or not. He has expressed desired to initiate few more of such projects for the public.
The advisor has called upon the colony youth to take responsibility in maintaining the park. He also requested the ward leaders to grant authority to the youth to take care of the space.
The chief executive officer of KSCDL, K Theunuo, stated that Indian cities including Kohima pose many challenges due to the lack of open, green and safe spaces for children, toddlers and their caregivers. He stated that children having exposure to such high-stress environments during early age could have lifelong impacts on a child's cognitive, health, and behavioural outcomes.
In response to those challenges, he stated that Kohima smart city along with various stakeholders of the city have initiated to create pocket public spaces, slow streets, safer junctions, improve the facilities for children and pedestrians through quick innovations and designs.
Stating that community participation and support hold the key towards successful and effective implementation of the park, he appealed to the residents to shoulder responsibilities in managing the park and also set good example for others to follow.
‘Unity Park’ is one such project taken up by Kohima smart city with the active participation and support of the New Minister's Hill Panchayat and the credit for the success of the project goes to the community, the advisor said. He further informed that Kohima smart city is planning to take up similar projects in some other colonies.
A colony representative informed that the area used to be known as an unwanted place filled with garbage. He, however, informed that residents took upon the responsibility of cleaning the area and now renamed as ‘Unity Park.’
The project was undertaken by Yhuchinlo Khing, KSCDL senior manager, and Rokovono Bio, KSCDL planning manager.