With a hope to revitalize Mokokchung’s reputation as a clean town, the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Mokokchung unit has initiated a cleanliness drive. Commencing from 18 March 2024 and extending until 23 March 2024, the association has undertaken the renewal and new registration of taxis within the town. Notably, alongside the registration process, ANTA has started a campaign to adorn all taxis with stickers bearing the slogan “Keep Mokokchung Clean”.

Tongpang Pongen, President of ANTA Mokokchung, revealed that this initiative stems from a resolution passed during the 6th January 2024 General Meeting of the association. Reflecting on Mokokchung’s past glories, Pongen lamented the town’s recent decline in cleanliness. He emphasized Mokokchung’s former distinction as the Cleanest City in North East India (population 25,000 to 50,000 category), conferred by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, during the ‘Swachh Mahotsav 2020’ event on 20th August 2020.

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Expressing hopefulness about the initiative’s potential impact, Pongen emphasized the crucial role of public transportation, particularly taxis, in disseminating awareness. He emphasized the importance of collective action in restoring and maintaining cleanliness, urging both residents and visitors to actively participate in this strive for cleanliness.

Pongen articulated, “Keeping the town clean means keeping ourselves clean despite the pollution we produce every day”, further stating that maintaining cleanliness in the town involves personal responsibility for our own cleanliness, even though we contribute to pollution daily. He emphasized the importance of individual actions in preserving cleanliness despite environmental challenges.

Furthermore, Pongen issued a stern warning to all registered taxi operators under ANTA, cautioning that failure to comply with the renewal and registration process would incur fines and penalties.

He also stressed that the success of this campaign depends not only on the efforts of taxi operators but also on the active participation of all citizens of Mokokchung. Pongen emphasized that if everyone in Mokokchung joins this campaign, it will be successful and will greatly benefit the town and its residents, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment for all.