Likha Suraj and Taring Darang inaugurate Ruksin as Urban TownSustainable urbanization is key to successful development: Says Ering

PASIGHAT, Dec 23: Director, Town Planning Likha Suraj and Chief Engineer, UD and Housing Er. Taring Darang today inaugurated Ruksin as Urban Town unveiling the foundation stone in presence of the Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, ADC Tajing Jonnom, EE (UD) Pasighat, ATP Tani Taloh, officers, ZPMs, PRI leaders, GBs and senior members of the society.  

Understanding the key trends in urbanization likely to unfold over the coming years is crucial for sustainable development, including efforts to forge a new framework of urban development, stated the local MLA Ninong Ering while addressing a mammoth gathering here in the ADC’s office compound. Sustainable development depends increasingly on the successful management of urban growth, especially in Ruksin where the pace of urbanization is projected to be the fastest. We will face challenges in meeting the needs of our growing urban populations, including infrastructure, as well as for basic services such as education and health care and others. Integrated policies to improve the lives of both urban and rural dwellers are needed, while strengthening the linkages between urban and rural areas, building on their existing economic, social and environmental ties, he added.

The MLA asserted that people will see visible and speedy development in the area. To ensure that the benefits of urbanization are fully shared and inclusive, policies to manage urban growth need to ensure access to infrastructure, focusing on the needs of the vulnerable groups for housing, education, health care, decent work and a safe environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Likha Suraj informed that process of declaration of urban town was not an easy task. There is certain criteria. Population should be more than five thousand. 75% of the working male population should be not engaged in agriculture or in allied activities. They should be engaged in service sectors or in industrial or commercial sectors. There should be existing some kind of statutory body in the area like market welfare association, administrative head, then we can go for declaring any area as urban area. Basic idea of creating a new township should be such that it addresses the problems arising out of the periphery of an existing town. If haphazard growth is allowed to crop up in the outskirts, a healthy township will ultimately inherit those problems, he stated adding that before developing basic infrastructure, we should offer some sustainable plans for urbanization listing a number of daunting challenges such as laying of roads, water and sewer lines, hospital, schools etc in the existing town. We have to examine the present status and population, we will prepare a development plan. 

Chief Engineer, UD & Housing, Er. Taring Darang informed that Ruksin was notified as urban town in March 2020 and the total notified area is 6.14 square kilometers. Engineers and supporting staff have been posted and Ruksin ADC has accommodated them to start work immediately. He also briefed on solid waste management policy Rule-2016.