The North East Zonal Conference, organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), was held today at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal, bringing together experts, planners, and policymakers to discuss contemporary issues and emerging challenges in urban and regional planning across the North Eastern region.
This year’s conference focused on promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development, with special emphasis on three key themes: Strengthening Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Urban Development; Prioritizing Non-Motorized Transport (NMT): Walking and Cycling; and Urban Resilience to Climate Extremes: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies. R.K. Dinesh Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary (MAHUD), Government of Manipur, attended as Chief Guest, joined by ITPI President Tpr. Pradeep Kumar, Vice President Tpr. S. Devender Reddy, Secretary General Tpr. Jitendra L. Bhople, and Council Member Tpr. Nepram Gitkumar Singh.
In his address, R.K. Dinesh expressed gratitude to the organizers and highlighted that despite being a small state, Manipur faces major urban challenges, making it an ideal testing ground for innovative planning policies. He pointed to recurring urban floods caused by the state’s valley geography and river basins, as well as rising air pollution intensified by temperature inversion in the bowl-shaped terrain. Even moderate AQI levels, he noted, can have severe impacts in such conditions. He stressed the need for sustainable, resilient urban planning to address issues in sanitation, sewerage, transportation, and increasing urban migration. Welcoming top professionals from across India, he called the conference a vital opportunity for policy brainstorming and collaborative development. He concluded with optimism about the outcomes of the event.
ITPI President Tpr. Pradeep Kumar stated that this was the first-ever ITPI event hosted in Manipur and thanked council members for selecting the state. He emphasized the timeliness and importance of the conference themes, noting that promoting non-motorized transport such as cycling improves public health and supports environmental conservation. He added that strengthening urban resilience to climate change is equally crucial, as both hill and valley regions in the North East are increasingly experiencing landslides, floods, and other challenges driven by human activities and climate variability. He said that this was why experts from different parts of the country were invited to share their insights.
A book titled “Hill Area Planning”, published by ITPI, was released by the Chief Guest during the inaugural session.
Three technical sessions formed the core of the conference. The first session on Strengthening Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Urban Development was chaired by Shri Nongthongbam Benju Singh, Chief Town Planner of Manipur, with presentations by Tpr. Jitendra Sarma Kakoty of Assam and Dr. Shubahshish Banerjee of Madhya Pradesh. The second session on Prioritizing Non-Motorized Transport (NMT): Walking and Cycling was chaired by Shri Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director (MAHUD), Government of Manipur, and featured presentations by Prof. Dr. Sanjay Gupta of SPA Delhi and Tpr. S. Devender Reddy of Telangana. The final session on Urban Resilience to Climate Extremes: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies was chaired by Dr. T. Brajakumar Singh, Director of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, with insights from Tpr. Rajneesh Sareen of CSE New Delhi and Dr. Ajay Kumar of NIT Patna.
At the valedictory function, ITPI Vice President Tpr. S. Devender Reddy delivered the concluding remarks. Shri Thokchom Kirankumar, IAS, Secretary, Land Resources and IT, Government of Manipur, attended as Chief Guest, while Tpr. Nepram Gitkumar Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
The conference served as a significant platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and outlining a roadmap for a more sustainable and resilient urban future for the North Eastern region.
