Neiphiu Rio, the chief minister of Nagaland, announced on Tuesday that the state had experienced the most rapid urban population growth in India, with a startling 66.7% increase. He made this statement during the opening of the renovated Dimapur Town Hall (DTH) in the Naga Shopping Arcade neighborhood, highlighting the urgent need to solve issues brought on by the city’s increasing urbanization. The 2011 Census revealed a notable demographic shift in Nagaland, with 28.86% of the population currently living in urban areas.
Citing World Bank statistics that predict 68% of the world’s population would live in urban areas by 2050, Rio emphasized the worldwide trend of urbanization in his statement. He emphasized India’s fast urbanization trend, projecting that by the middle of the century, 60% of the nation’s population will live in urban areas, overtaking those in rural areas. Rio commended the Urban Development Department, DAN, contractors, and other entities that were participating in the renovation effort.
Financial information was provided by DAN Superintending Engineer Mhonlumo Ngullie, who said that Rs. 17.37 crore had been set aside for the project, of which Rs. 2 crore had come from the state government and Rs. 15.73 crore from the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment. The contractor has already received Rs. 16.91 crore of the total. Pastor Kilang Longkumer of Nukmen Baptist Church gave the opening invocation, DAN Chairman Dr. Watizulu Süzümeren gave the keynote presentation, and Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, gave the vote of gratitude. A cultural performance by the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) added even more value to the event.
