Three villages of Chungtia, Aliba and Kinunger come together in camaraderie-ship to repair 35 kilometers of Mkg-Mariani Road
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | May 28
Exactly 1135 men from three villages situated along the National Highway 702D, popularly known as Mokokchung-Mariani Road, volunteered to repair a stretch of the highway today after realizing that the government was not likely to repair the depilated road any time soon.
The second busiest highway in Nagaland and the lifeline for at least three major districts: namely Mokokchung, Tuensang and Zunheboto, the Mokokchung-Mariani road has remained unattended with none of the government agencies looking its way.
In 2015, NH 702D was handed over to the National Highways ministry by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). While the state National Highways department in the district claims that there are “no work assignment from the government” concerning the said road, the BRO maintains that they no longer are responsible for the road’s maintenance.
The three villages - Chungtia, Aliba and Kinunger – in 2014 also voluntarily repaired the road.
On Saturday, the three villages in the same camaraderie-ship, under the initiatives of a 15-member “well-wishers committee” came together to repair the road.
While those residing in the villages started the day by repairing the road starting from Longjongkong (New Camp), citizens from the villages residing in Mokokchung town started their day from IOC Junction with Mekuli junction as the converging point for the two parties. The volunteers were seen carrying boulders, filling potholes, digging earth and clearing drainages all along the 35-kilometer stretch.
Imchawati Kichu, convener of the “well-wishers committee” expressed gratitude to all the volunteers for showing up today. He also thanked the village councils and town unions of the three villages for their all-out cooperation and undertaking.
He also thanked the village councils of Khensa and Mekuli for their support. Several Mokokchung based organizations including the Ao Senden, AKM and MCCI as well as the district administration visited the volunteers and extended monetary contributions.
Imchawati also told media persons that earlier in February; they had met the BRO and then the state Highways department requesting them to repair the road, however, expressed regret that their requests were not responded positively.
“We therefore decided to repair the road themselves “instead of imposing bandhs,” he maintained.
Imchawati also hoped that the other villages situated along the highways would also follow suit and repair the road without waiting for the government to repair it.
He also requested the authorities that the “standing order” that prohibits a truck from carrying more than 10 tonnes on this highway be strictly implemented. The departments concerned should also at least ensure timely assistance in clearing the landslides that are common during rainy season, he further appealed.
In a note of gratitude, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI), on behalf of the business community of Mokokchung, Tuensang and Zunheboto conveyed its sincerest appreciation to the three villages for volunteering in repairing 35 kilometers of the all-important Mokokchung-Mariani road starting from IOC Junction to New Camp today.
“It is our hope and dream that this exemplary initiative heralds a people’s good roads movement in the region. This road is the lifeline for not just Mokokchung but also of Tuensang and Zunheboto and is of paramount economic importance for these districts,” the press note stated.
