Road is one sector that the people of Nagaland have been urging the state government to give utmost importance to. Many even take to social media to make their voices heard and express their displeasure by showing visuals of deplorable road conditions to the world. The frustration is understandable and the demand legitimate, as roads are considered the driving force of economic growth, without which an increase in agricultural output and other produce from various parts of the state will fail to make its desired impact on the lives of the farmers. Self-sufficiency has been the buzzword of late, but it is simply impossible to attain without good road connectivity. For instance, many agricultural items produced in various parts of the state are sold at higher prices in urban markets like Kohima and Dimapur than those imported from other states due to transportation costs. Sometimes, perishable items like vegetables are left to rot in villages due to the inability to transport them on time. The irony is that legislators and government officials have been urging the people to take up farming without addressing one issue, which is making the profession unprofitable and vulnerable. This is a sad reality. It may take longer than expected to address the issue, but things seem to be moving in the right direction, at least going by the road projects the state government has taken up during the last few years. A lot of ground remains to be covered, but every little progress made should be welcomed and acknowledged.
The good news is that the budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, which was recently presented in the state assembly, has provisions for major road projects. The allocation of INR 148.50 crore for the Foothill Road under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme has caught the attention of the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), which has been critical of the government’s approach on the crucial road that connects several districts of the state. It can be taken as an indication that the state government is serious about developing the road infrastructure. However, it will come down to effective implementation. In this regard, the state government should have a contingency plan in case the allocated budget is not enough to complete the project. The NFHRCC, which has been playing a commendable role in keeping this project alive by keeping the government as well as contractors on their toes, should also see to it that the ambitious venture is completed on time without compromising quality. Other pressure groups and organisations can learn a lesson or two from this committee, especially in ensuring smooth implementation of projects. As reiterated by legislators and government officials on several occasions about land issue coming in the way of developmental projects, the civil society organisations and the concerned state department should sit together and come up with viable arrangements, including reasonable land compensation. Blaming Article 371 (A) won’t help anybody. To increase the pace of development, the government and public should co-operate and work together. Much ground may have been covered, but much remains to be covered.
