The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has expressed serious concern over the recent notification issued by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) regarding the reconstitution of colony-level sanitation teams under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

In a statement, DUCCF asserted that grassroots institutions, including Colony Councils and Gaon Burahs (GBs), have consistently worked in close coordination with municipal authorities, even prior to the conduct of municipal elections. The Federation stated that sanitation systems at the colony level have largely been sustained due to the commitment and voluntary contributions of grassroots leaders over the years.

While acknowledging that waste management remains a pressing concern for Dimapur, DUCCF strongly objected to what it described as attempts to invoke provisions of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 as a means of exerting pressure on grassroots leaders. The Federation maintained that Colony Chairmen and GBs should not be viewed as obstacles to reforms but as key stakeholders and governance partners. It cautioned that issuing statutory warnings instead of promoting collaborative engagement could lead to unnecessary friction between authorities and community leaders.

DUCCF emphasized that waste management is a structural issue requiring planning, infrastructure, technical guidance, and financial backing. It pointed out that relying solely on notifications and compliance deadlines without ensuring adequate logistical arrangements, segregation systems, transportation mechanisms, and public awareness drives would be impractical and unfair for colonies to manage independently.

In light of these concerns, DUCCF has urged the DMC Administrator to immediately convene a comprehensive coordination meeting involving Ward elected Councillors, Colony Chairmen, GBs, and Colony Councils. The Federation also called for the implementation of a pilot project formulated in consultation with all stakeholders before enforcing strict compliance measures.

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Stressing the importance of collaborative governance, DUCCF stated that Dimapur requires partnership rather than pressure, dialogue instead of directives, and cooperation over compulsion. The Federation reiterated its commitment to work constructively with municipal authorities in ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and better-organised Dimapur, while emphasizing that any sustainable waste management solution must be based on mutual respect and collective responsibility.