KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today called upon landowners of Kohima, stakeholders and all government departments, to come forward so that the capital city could make it to the second list of Smart City project.
"Participation of all citizens and landowners, as well as departments has to be taken up seriously so that Kohima is included in the second list of Smart City project," he said while addressing a meeting on the issue.
"If any portion of our land is required for the project, we should be ready to part with it for a fair and reasonable amount of compensation. If we don't have the spirit of sacrifice and accommodation for the sake of public interest, it will be difficult to make Kohima a Smart City," Zeliang said.
Explaining the 'Smart City' concept, he said it should have an efficient transportation system, quick and effective solid and liquid waste disposal system, sufficient and regular supply of water and electricity, good healthcare and education facilities and effective policing system and security arrangements.
"In spite of our best efforts, Kohima could not meet the benchmark in the first round of selection and therefore we should not repeat the same mistakes," the Chief Minister said.
Admitting that it was a daunting task, he said "We may not be able to achieve all the above targets or objectives to the desired level because Kohima is a very old and unplanned city."
"But we can retrofit the old Kohima city and not develop a new planned township or city," Zeliang said, adding Nagaland needs to go for a Green City project, which will be a planned one.
Only such a new planned city will be able to satisfy the aspirations of the present and future generation of Nagas in the long run, he said and told urban planners to simultaneously start planning for such modern planned township.