Advisor Tongpang Ozukum, during the recently fourth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, flagged two critical agendas under the Urban Development department, shedding light on the construction of the P Shilu Ao Memorial Park in Mokokchung and the construction of a Pedestrian Footbridge at the main police point in Mokokchung town.
P Shilu Park, a memorial park, dedicated to the first Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been under construction since 2010 in Mokokchung, marking its 14th year now. However, according to the advisor, it is learnt that the physical progress is only 90 % despite full payment of the total cost of construction.
“I have once visited the park along with the contractor and engineering wing of the department, the floor in sinking very badly due to which there are huge cracks in the ceiling,” the advisor said and appealed the department for a re-estimation of the project, including provisions for additional items such as furniture, and ensure its completion within the current financial year.
He emphasized the importance of having at least a frame of the first Chief Minister’s memorial park prominently displayed inside the Assembly complex, especially as the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) approaches 60 years.
The advisor also raised concern on the construction of a Pedestrian Footbridge at the main police point in Mokokchung town. Initiated in 2005, the project aimed to address pedestrian safety concerns at a crucial traffic junction. Initially budgeted at Rs 15.22 lakhs under the 10% Lumpsum scheme, the project’s approved cost proved impractical, leading to two revisions. As per the 2016 Schedule of Rates (SOR), the current estimated cost stands at Rs 189.87 lakhs.
Despite efforts to bolster the project, including an additional release of Rs 52 lakhs in 2010-2011, progress remains dishearteningly minimal, with only two pillars erected.
The advisor highlighted the strategic significance of the location, where multiple key roads converge, including those leading to the DC office, SP office, Amguri, Wokha-Kohima, Mokokchung hospital, and Mokokchung shopping complex, resulting in high vehicular traffic.
Recognizing the urgent need for pedestrian safety and accessibility, the Advisor appealed to the department to reassess the project and consider restarting it from scratch.
Upgradation of Chuchuyimlang and Tzudikong to Town Council
Advisor Tongpang Ozukum made a compelling proposal, urging the department, Chief Minister, and council of ministers to consider elevating Chuchuyimlang and Tzudikong to Town Council status in lieu of establishing a new district of Tuli.
Reflecting on past resolutions, Ozukum recalled the Langpangkong Tsukong Mungdang or Langpangkong Area Council’s 2016 and 2018 conferences, where demands for a separate district for Tuli sub-division were ardently raised. However, Ozukum expressed reservations about further fragmenting the Langpangkong range.
Instead, Ozukum advocated for the upgrading of Chuchuyimlang and Tzudikong Urban Sub Stations. In 2021, during the third general conference after the resolution was adopted, the area council opted to keep in abeyance the district demand and prioritize Town Council status for these urban sub-stations.
In his address, Ozukum urged the relevant authorities, including the department, Chief Minister, and council of ministers, to consider this proposal earnestly.
Speaking about the DUDA scheme, Advisor Tongpang Ozukum expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for including four villages from his 24 Angetyongpang AC under the ambit of the Development of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) scheme.
“There are three pure Chang villages and another village called Chakpa which is inhabited by Ao and Chang community and these two communities live in harmony under one village council, one church, one students’ body, one women organization and one Citizen’s forum. As mentioned in para 27, the Hon’ble Chief Minister was considered enough to include these four villages which are under my constituency and another two villages from Tuli constituency which is inhabited by Phom and Ao community under the DUDA scheme from this financial year,” the advisor said.
Acknowledging the Chief Minister’s considerate gesture, the advisor noted that the inclusion of these villages, along with two others from Tuli constituency, in the DUDA scheme marked a significant step towards equitable development in eastern Nagaland and other underdeveloped regions of the state.
Attributing the inception of the DUDA department to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Rio, the advisor said, “Today, even my constituency benefits from this noble scheme.”
The advisor further pledged to preserve and honor the Chief Minister’s contributions, stating, “On my behalf and on behalf of these four villages, his golden footprints in the Angetyongpang constituency will be eternally remembered and cherished by our people.”
Increased funding for small and medium towns in urban development scheme
Advisor Tongpang Ozukum also made a plea to the Urban Development department to increase funding for small and medium towns under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme (UIDS). Addressing the matter, the Advisor expressed gratitude for the allocation of limited funds to Urban Station Committees (USCs) and potentially a few town councils for the current financial year.
The Advisor noted how the last time such funds were allocated was in 2013-14. Notably, these towns fall outside village jurisdiction and therefore do not benefit from Rural Development (RD) schemes. Furthermore, he noted, there is a lack of provision for funds under the Urban department, leaving these towns in a precarious position.
The Advisor also maintained that de-notifying these USCs will create unfavorable situations and argued that in the absence of any fund provision for the Urban Sub Committees, these small and medium towns will never progress or develop.
In light of these circumstances, the Advisor forwarded a request to both the department and the Chief Minister to not only maintain but also increase funding for these towns from the current financial year onwards.
