Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey has urged the state government and municipal authorities to undertake swift and comprehensive urban reforms to ensure planned and sustainable growth of cities in the state. Addressing a review meeting with the Urban Development and Housing department, she underlined urgent improvements in waste management, tax collection transparency, and efficient urban governance to meet the aspirations of citizens and align with national urban development targets.
Governor’s Strong Push for Urban Transformation
Governor Uikey expressed concern over the poor solid waste management in major towns, including Imphal, Thoubal, and Churachandpur. She noted that despite multiple schemes under the Swachh Bharat Mission and state urban programmes, on-ground results remain inadequate.
“We must implement scientific waste management in all municipalities. Improper garbage disposal not only affects public health but also damages Manipur’s environmental and tourism prospects,” she said during the meeting attended by officials, municipal commissioners, and civic engineers.
Focus on Tax Collection and Transparency
The Governor also emphasised streamlining urban local body (ULB) tax collection systems. Currently, property tax coverage and collection efficiency in Manipur remain among the lowest in Northeast India.
| Particulars | National Average (%) | Manipur (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Coverage | 55 | 28 |
| Property Tax Collection Efficiency | 75 | 36 |
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, 2024-25 Performance Review
She directed municipal bodies to digitise records, conduct GIS-based property mapping, and introduce online payment systems to boost tax revenue while ensuring transparency to avoid corruption and leakage.
Key Urban Development Indicators in Manipur (2023-2025)
| Indicator | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door Waste Collection Coverage (%) | 46 | 54 | 75 |
| Waste Processing Rate (%) | 14 | 22 | 50 |
| Property Tax Collection (₹ crore) | 18 | 22 | 35 |
| ULBs with Online Tax Payment Facility | 4 | 6 | 16 |
| Urban Drinking Water Coverage (%) | 68 | 72 | 85 |
Urban Planning Gaps Identified
Governor Uikey highlighted the absence of updated master plans in several towns, leading to unplanned constructions, traffic congestion, and poor drainage networks. She instructed the Urban Development department to finalise master plans for Imphal, Moreh, Thoubal, Ukhrul, and Churachandpur within the current fiscal year.
Status of Town Master Plans in Manipur
| Town | Last Approved Plan | Status of Update | Target Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imphal | 2001 | Under Revision | Dec 2025 |
| Thoubal | None | Preparation Stage | Mar 2026 |
| Churachandpur | 2005 | Under Revision | Dec 2025 |
| Moreh | None | Preparation Stage | Mar 2026 |
| Ukhrul | 2003 | Preparation Stage | Dec 2025 |
Governor’s Directives to Officials
- Scientific Waste Management: Establish segregation at source, MRF (Material Recovery Facility) centres, and decentralised composting units.
- Tax Digitisation: Complete GIS mapping of properties and integrate it with online billing platforms by March 2026.
- Capacity Building: Train municipal staff in e-governance and urban service delivery.
- Citizen Engagement: Conduct awareness drives for waste segregation and timely tax payment.
- Infrastructure Upgradation: Improve roads, drainage, and street lighting under AMRUT 2.0 and state urban grants.
Urbanisation Challenges in Manipur
Waste Management
- Lack of segregation at household level.
- Limited processing facilities leading to open dumping.
- Inadequate coverage of door-to-door waste collection.
Tax Base
- Low property registration rates.
- Outdated municipal records and manual billing systems.
- Poor grievance redressal, leading to public resistance in payments.
Planning Deficit
- Unplanned urban sprawl.
- Encroachments on public lands.
- Insufficient parking and pedestrian infrastructure.
Recent Initiatives by Manipur Government
✅ AMRUT 2.0 Projects: Imphal water supply augmentation, Thoubal sewerage network planning.
✅ Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): Procurement of auto tippers and waste bins for all municipal councils.
✅ Smart City Mission: Redevelopment of Kangla Fort precinct and core Imphal traffic decongestion.
Expert Opinion
Urban policy experts believe that the Governor’s intervention is timely. Dr. Ramesh Ningthoujam, Professor of Urban Planning at Manipur University, said:
“Manipur’s urbanisation has accelerated, but municipal reforms have lagged. Strengthening governance, waste management, and tax systems will create a financially self-reliant and cleaner urban ecosystem.”
Future Outlook
If implemented effectively, these reforms will help Manipur achieve national urban benchmarks under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities) by improving:
- Sanitation and Hygiene
- Transparent Governance
- Environmental Sustainability
- Infrastructure Planning
Challenges Ahead
- Behaviour change among citizens for waste segregation.
- Resistance to tax reforms without effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Capacity constraints in municipal bodies with limited technical staff.
- Need for convergence with health, education, and transport departments for holistic urban transformation.
Conclusion
Governor Uikey’s strong push for urban reforms has set clear targets for Manipur’s urban development journey. Her emphasis on scientific waste management, updated urban planning, and transparent tax systems is expected to accelerate sustainable growth in Manipur’s cities while improving quality of life for its urban residents. Successful execution will depend on political will, inter-departmental coordination, and active citizen participation in making Manipur’s urban centres cleaner, greener, and future-ready.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to consult official government notifications for specific scheme guidelines and implementation updates.
