The Mokokchung Municipal Council’s (MMC) implementation of a structured vehicle parking fee system marks a telling step forward in the town’s progress toward organized urban governance.
For the first time, a clearly defined parking fee regime, set at Rs10 per hour in six designated zones between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, has been introduced under Section 124 of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023. While modest in cost, the initiative carries significant symbolic and practical value.
What is particularly noteworthy is the smooth, cooperative response from the public. In an age where civic reforms often trigger opposition, the people of Mokokchung have shown remarkable maturity. Their willingness to embrace the idea that public services come at a price, be it parking or sanitation, is a positive cultural shift. It reflects a growing awareness that contributing to shared infrastructure is a part of responsible citizenship.
The initiative has also created employment, with more than 20 individuals engaged as parking fee collectors. This is not just a step toward revenue generation, but also toward livelihood support and improved traffic regulation. With reduced instances of haphazard parking and the likelihood of residents opting to walk for short distances, the town stands to benefit from a cleaner and more orderly urban environment, all of which contribute to a more livable town.
Perhaps most commendable is the MMC’s openness to feedback. By inviting citizens to submit suggestions or complaints in writing, it sets the tone for a more participatory civic culture. Hopefully, this will cultivate a habit of formal engagement with institutions, rather than the more passive act of informal complaining.
That said, the true test lies ahead. Transparency and accountability in the collection and use of these fees must be ensured. While the absence of protest is a promising sign, citizens must now take the next step: from cooperation to oversight.
This initiative should serve not just as a new policy, but as a civic lesson. By learning to contribute, question, and demand transparency, the people of Mokokchung can move toward a more active and responsible form of citizenship. If they can hold their municipal council accountable, the next step could and should be holding the state government to similar standards.
The parking fee system should be seen as more than a municipal measure; it is a small but meaningful symbol of an evolving civic mindset.