[dropcap]I[/dropcap] travelled to all the 11 (Eleven) District Headquarters of the state during the period March – April, 2015, through the 3(Three) National Highways and the 7 (Seven) State Highways. To my dismay, the roads were horrible, except the Kohima-Dimapur road and the roads in Mokokchung District. The roads in Mokokchung District is appreciated and it raises the question as to how the authorities and Departments in other districts cannot and have not done the same. It is also a wonder why the public of the other districts are silent on the issue.The bad roads cost me extra travelling-time in addition to the risk of life involved and after every trip, my vehicle had to undergo major repairs. But such situation must be the regular hardship faced by the citizens. It is definitely a costly, arduous and an inconvenient affair. There are barely any possible help such as medical facilities, hotels/food-joints, workshops etc for the travelers. A famous quote states, “only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches”. And this first-hand experience was definitely one that pinched.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Minister for Roads and Bridges and the Engineers of the Department should accord the top-most priority to the roads in Nagaland. The people deserve at least two-lane roads with proper drainages, culverts and jungle clearings. The recent first-hand experience is appealing despite the fact that the State Government has already incurred millions of rupees for roads.
The conditions of the roads are the visible signs of any development of an area and the indicators of the performance of the Government in power. Therefore, it is a sincere appeal to the present Government to prove its accountability and credibility to the people of the state by providing good roads, which is the mother of all developments to the State and for the advancement of the community.
A concerned citizen and a dismayed traveler,
KHINYI WOCH
Financial Advisor,
State MGNREGA Cell.
