Issues and Challenges of Urban Growth in Nagaland

Objectives: This paper aim to bring out the prevailing issues the urban dwellers are confronting at present in the state of Nagaland and the challenges faced by both the urban planners and the government with reference to its two most urbanised town viz. Kohima Town and Dimapur Town.

Methods/Statistical Analysis: The study has been done in purposively selected districts and simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 respondents; 200 respondents each from Kohima and Dimapur town. For data analysis, we used simple statistical tools such as averages, percentiles and bar graph to make the work simple and for better understanding of the topic.

Findings: From the study, it is found that inadequate basic urban amenities like housing, water supply, public roads and prevailing issues like drainage system, air and water pollution and solid waste management problem has been seen as a detrimental factors for harmonious urban community life. These urban issues are getting more serious in the State due to lack of adequate capital resources to address and handle the problems on one hand and poor public service delivery system on the other hand. Due to limited works and documentation of these urban issues in the past has been a setback for the urban planners to bring out viable solution for urban problems. Thus, the need of the hour is that the municipalities and management agencies are required to come up with a comprehensive city plans and contain the burning issues before it becomes too late.

Application/Improvement: The findings of this study will be of immense beneficial for urban related studies in small town as well as for the urban planners in the state, as no individual or agency has carried out any exclusive and intensive research so far for the state of Nagaland.