The newly elected Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) — the first in Mokokchung— has taken a bold step toward organized urban planning by mandating the use of the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Khensa for all inter-state and inter-district transport services.
At first glance, the move makes urban sense: it aims to decongest the town centre, streamline transportation, and reduce chaotic pick-up points. Structurally, this decentralization is welcome.
Relocating long-distance buses to the periphery while confining intra-district services to the MMC basement area introduces much-needed order to a previously unregulated transit culture.
But even well-intentioned reforms require sensitivity. The ISBT lies at the town’s edge, making it harder to access — especially for elderly passengers, students, and daily commuters. For many, the extra distance feels like a burden in both time and cost — especially in a town where taxi fares are not cheap and public transport options remain limited.
The MMC’s promise of shuttle services is encouraging. But its success will depend entirely on implementation: Will the shuttles be frequent and affordable? Will they operate early in the morning when most passengers travel? Without reliable access, this reform risks becoming a well-meaning inconvenience.
Let’s also be realistic: Mokokchung’s terrain and dispersed settlement pattern do not easily support a single centralized terminal. Most sustainable cities — from Guwahati to Delhi — adopt a multi-nodal model, with zonal bus stands aligned with major routes. Mokokchung should remain open to adapting this approach in the future.
Transport isn’t the only sector needing vision. Consider Mokokchung’s fresh produce market — or rather, its near absence. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, rural women bring vegetables to the town’s Women’s Market. But for the rest of the week, fresh local produce virtually disappears.
This creates an over-reliance on vegetables imported from Assam — often costlier, less fresh, and nutritionally inferior. The problem isn’t just one of logistics; it is a clear case of missing infrastructure. The Nagaland Municipal Act 2023 lists “planning for economic and social development” as a core municipal responsibility. This makes it all the more urgent for Mokokchung to establish a permanent, daily market for local sellers.
Even modest investments — in logistics, cold storage units, or phased warehouse development — could empower rural women, boost the local economy, and improve food access while encouraging farmers to grow more. The MMC doesn’t need massive capital. It needs the courage to act small and smart.
At the same time, it raises concern when vegetables grown just a few kilometers away cost the same — or more — than those trucked in from another state. Local produce avoids long-distance transport, fuel expenses, and wholesale middlemen. By logic, it should be more affordable, fresher, and more sustainable — yet this is often not the case.
This pricing anomaly points to a regulatory gap that the MMC is now well-positioned to address. The council must step in — not only to create a physical space for local sellers but also to regulate prices fairly and transparently.
A publicly displayed rate chart — categorized by season and type — can help prevent price manipulation and protect both farmers and consumers. At the same time, this is not a call for underpricing. Farmers must not be forced to sell at unsustainable rates.
The goal is fair pricing — where rural producers earn sustainably and urban consumers pay reasonably. MMC can enable this by:
· Setting indicative price bands to curb middlemen exploitation,
· Waiving or reducing market fees for local sellers in the initial phase, and
· Keeping vendor registration fees affordable and predictable — allowing some revenue without harming rural livelihoods.
A well-regulated daily market isn’t just about vegetables. It stimulates rural income, builds urban-rural linkages, creates jobs, keeps wealth within the district, and gives MMC a model of low-cost, people-first development.
Beyond markets and transport, one of the simplest but most visible signs of effective governance is a clean town.
Littering, spitting, and poor waste disposal remain persistent issues in Mokokchung. But instead of being overwhelmed, the MMC can turn this challenge into an opportunity. Introduce a modest fine system. Begin with a one-month awareness campaign. Make dustbins mandatory outside all commercial shops. Then enforce penalties gradually and humanely.
Yes, the town may not yet afford a full sanitation workforce. But the MMC can start lean:
· Hire 1–2 part-time civic monitors,
· Offer them a share of collected fines as incentive,
· Begin with high-footfall areas like Police Point and the main town area,
· Reinvest fines into cleanliness drives, and
· Partner with youth clubs or tap into CSR funds.
Civic reform does not require perfection — only practical, determined beginnings.
Mokokchung still lacks a proper public toilet. For women vendors, elderly citizens, and travelers, this is a daily struggle — and a matter of basic dignity. The MMC must urgently build a clean, centrally located facility with separate sections for men, women, and persons with disabilities. It need not be expensive — just maintained. A small step, but one that reflects care and civic responsibility.
However, no town can expand without the cooperation of its people — especially landowners, who hold the key to physical growth. If Mokokchung is to develop sustainably, landowners must become partners in progress, not reluctant bystanders.
Voluntary cooperation — whether for roads, markets, or civic spaces — will smooth the way. But trust must be mutual. The MMC must ensure:
· No coercion or forced land surrender,
· Transparent and fair compensation, and
· Visible public benefit from every expansion project.
Growth is not just about acquiring land. It’s about ensuring that every citizen feels included in the future being built.
Infrastructure is not just roads and buildings. It is about people, habits, livelihoods, and access. Governance should not be judged by how many projects are sanctioned, but by how relevant, inclusive, and impactful they are.
Yes, revenue generation in a small town is difficult — but not impossible. With vision, public participation, and small, smart steps, Mokokchung can evolve into a cleaner, more connected, and more equitable town.
To that end, we urge the Mokokchung Municipal Council — and the citizens who elected it — to rise above routine. Listen to the people. Act with courage, foresight, and fairness. And together, build a town that reflects not just our hopes, but our shared future.