Dimapur, September 26 (MExN): The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has expressed serious concern over the inability of existing towns in Nagaland to meet the demands of rapid urbanization and has called for the establishment of a new city—Nagaki City—as a solution to the State’s growing infrastructure crisis.
Nagaki' City is a proposed "global city" or modern, planned urban development in the Chathe Valley of Chümoukedima district. It is envisioned as a strategic initiative to stimulate economic growth and manage urban expansion, with land acquisition and development in progress, though the project awaits full approval and funding from the central government.
In a statement, the DUCCF said Dimapur, Kohima and other urban centres have long been the backbone of governance, commerce and culture for the Naga people. However, it noted that these towns “do not have the physical capacity or infrastructure to sustain the kind of growth that the present and future generations require.”
Highlighting the situation in Dimapur, the Federation said the town, as the commercial hub of Nagaland, is already saturated. “Roads remain narrow and congested with no possibility for meaningful expansion, while drainage systems are outdated, leading to frequent flooding and health hazards. Electrical systems are overburdened, resulting in frequent disruptions and unreliable supply. The housing sector has failed to keep pace with demand, forcing many into overcrowded and substandard living conditions,” it stated.
The DUCCF also pointed out that Kohima, despite being the State capital, faces even more severe space limitations. “Its hilly terrain restricts expansion, road widening, and proper planning for urban utilities,” it said. Similar constraints, it added, are seen in other towns across Nagaland where lack of foresight in planning has led to unmanageable traffic, inadequate sanitation and poor urban services.
In view of these challenges, the DUCCF “strongly advocates for the establishment of Nagaki City—a new incumbent city for the Naga people.” The statement stressed that the creation of such a city “is not a luxury but a necessity for the survival and progress of Nagaland in the 21st century.”
According to the Federation, Nagaki City should be envisioned as a carefully planned urban centre designed to accommodate the future needs of a rapidly urbanizing population. “It presents an opportunity to start afresh, free from the constraints of congested and overbuilt towns,” it said.
