Share
Covid-19 pandemic has made us realise that there is an urgent need to establish better health infrastructures in the state and at the same time to have local food security to save lives. Both are equally important to address if we are to avert loss of lives during epidemic/pandemic in the future. Thousands of our youths migrate to other states in search of jobs/employment. Many end up working in unorganised sectors. Far away from home, they live without any security facing racial, physical and sexual harassment. By God’s grace, Nagas, unlike many places in mainland India, are blessed with bountiful natural resources. It is time for us to think seriously on developing self-reliant economy locally.
As one crosses over Khuzama Gate or Zhavame Village (Nagaland), to Manipur territory, you will see many auto rickshaws plying on the road. In almost every village in Senapati District (Manipur), you will see auto rickshaws used to meet personal needs as well as for earning. In Manipur, my village alone has more than 30 auto drivers in Senapati town and they are able to manage their family as well as provide education for their children. It helps farmers in many ways. Funds from MGNREGS and VDB have helped almost every village in Nagaland to construct all weather roads from village to their paddy fields and jhuming fields. Unlike in the past, the condition of roads has been improved to a large extent. Introduction of auto rickshaw will encourage Naga youths to involve in farming and agricultural activities. So there is a good opportunity for the villagers to use auto rickshaws to enhance economy.
With around 1450 recognised villages in the state, the economy of Nagaland will be developed only through developing village economy. In order to enhance village economy, one of the best ways is to allow auto rickshaw to ply in every nook and corner of Nagaland. I am not talking here about the earning of auto rickshaws in Dimapur. I am talking about remote villages where farmers work and produce our food. Auto rickshaws are farmer friendly. Compared to the cost of other small cars, the price of auto rickshaw is quite affordable to buy. It is easy to drive and also easy to repair. It needs only small space for parking.
There are many benefits. Auto rickshaws have good ground clearance and also have greater pulling strength than many small cars. It can carry load even heavier than small cars like maruti 800. Farmers can use it to go to fields or working places. They can save lots of working time. They can reach their fields within 30-40 minutes which they usually take two to three hours to reach if they walk on foot. Many Naga farmers are facing the problem of transportation. It is very easy if auto rickshaw is used to transport farmer’s produce from field to home. I have seen in many villages in Manipur where they use auto rickshaw to carry paddy rice from fields during harvest, carry potato and cabbage from farm, and even bringing lots of forest produce. It also helps in connecting villages with towns. There are times where farmers’ produce go waste due to transportation problem. Sometimes tonnes of vegetables get rotten from the fields due to lack of transportation. Hence farmer’s income of the whole year is lost. Hiring truck or Tata mobile is a big burden for farmers due to high cost. In this situation, auto rickshaw is the most convenient means of transportation. For instance, fruit and vegetable producing villages such as Tsupfume and Zhavame can easily transport their produce to Pfutsero town or Mao Gate through auto rickshaw. It will help farmers to save their perishable commodities and sell at good price.
Nagaland should not think of developing another big town like Kohima or Dimapur but plan for the improvement of the existing small towns like District Headquarters and Sub-Divisions where a population of around 30-50 thousand can be accommodated. Small towns have many advantages. It is easy for the administration to run effectively. It will help the villagers to sell their produce as well as get their needs in return. Auto rickshaws serve as most convenient means of transport in local economy. Look at Phek District, there is enormous opportunity to make use of auto rickshaw. For instance, Pfutsero is a small town surrounded by around 20 villages. Villagers always come to Pfutsero for buying daily needs. All these surrounding villages can use auto rickshaw for travelling and transporting purposes at any time and at lowest fare/expenditure. Unlike auto rickshaw, hiring local taxi or Tata mobile to come to Pfutsero from village would double/triple their expenses. Common people are spending huge amounts of money even to do a small work. For instance, just to go to DC office, or ADC office or hospital, one may need to spend anywhere between Rs 100- Rs.500 to hire a taxi. The same work can be done by paying Rs 20-50 if one uses auto rickshaw.
Covid-19 pandemic has opened our eyes to see the importance of building economy of all sections of people. It is time for the state government of Nagaland to think for alternative livelihood to help the villagers especially young people. Introduction of auto rickshaw will greatly benefit them all. It will give employment to thousands of unemployed youth as well as arrest the problem of migration. It will help farmers to increase their income. Small traders, vegetable growers and vendors, artisans and butchers need cheap means of transportation. Honourable CM and the concerned Minister of Transport need to revisit the policy of Motor vehicles in Nagaland and allow the use of auto rickshaws in all the districts permitting only local people to drive. This will certainly boost the economy of villagers and hence the economy of the state.
Z. K. Pahrü Pou
Mission Colony, Pfutsero
zkpahr@gmail.com