The Rüzaphema village approach road, commonly called KJP or Kohima-Jalukie-Peren Road, has been in a deplorable condition for over 20 years.
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 16
The less said the better about one of the oldest state highways—the Rüzaphema village approach road, commonly called KJP or Kohima-Jalukie-Peren Road, which has been left completely ignored and abandoned for more than two decades.
Such is the condition of this road that it guarantees a herky-jerky journey for backache. The remnants of this once black-top road 20 years ago are patches of bitumen scattered here and there resembling pigmentation on the skin. And, it is guaranteed that the monsoon rain will wash away whatever patches of bitumen are left.
Although good road connectivity is crucial for social and economic growth and development, it was informed that due to the deplorable road conditions no public transportation ply in this road. This has left the villagers almost paralysed, with people who have to depend on private vehicles for any work outside the village.
Rüzaphema village, with 380 households, is situated 17 km away from sub-district headquarter Medziphema and 35 Km away from the district headquarter Dimapur.
Completely neglected and abandoned
Speaking to The Morung Express, Rüzaphema Village Council Secretary, Thejasesalie Kehie said “this is one of the oldest state highways, which was completely abandoned till today. It was around 1990 that this road was black top.”
Since then, he said the road has gone from bad to worse bringing untold miseries to the villagers. “We have been waiting for more than two decades for the government to repair the road,” he said.
“In 2002, the central government sanctioned Rs. 100 Crore for construction of the KJP road, which, unfortunately was diverted towards construction of road from Jharnapani via Molvom-Peren,” informed Rokobikho Savino, a native of Rüzaphema village.
Rüzaphema Village Youth President, Virüzo Meyase commented that “the sole lifeline and connectivity of the villagers with the outside world lies in a deplorable condition, and with the onset of the monsoon, the already riverbed like road will worsen and be intolerable to commute.”
“The equitable contributions of every citizen and village attributes to the growth of our state. However, this total neglect and step motherly treatment by the government all these years is totally unfair and unjust,” said Meyase.
“Our village is not only the biggest but the most neglected village as well. Despite the Land Resource Department campus and NAPTC in the village, the government is still turning a blind eye to the village road conditions and deaf ears to the cries of the villagers,” said T Angami, a young native of the village.
Road condition hampers economic growth
An avid agriculturalist, Savino expressed grave concern on the poor economic growth of the villagers, attributing the same to the pathetic road conditions.
Agriculture being the main source of livelihood for the villagers, he said there has been a steady growth of pineapple farming in the last few years which grow exceptionally well in this part of the region.
However, a negative impact, he pointed out is the pitiable road condition with no public transportation for farmers to transport their produces It also deters buyers from coming to the village.
“Any activity without good road is impossible, and with the given road condition there is little or no provision for growth,” Savino commented sadly.
Unfulfilled promises by politicians
“Elections have come and gone, but our road still remains the same,” remarked a teacher. She recalled “every election, our constituency politician and his agents gave assurances to construct our road even if they win or loss.”
“Politicians and promises don’t go well together. Even if it does it is very rare. I don’t fully blame the political leader for not fulfilling the promises made. I believe and I trust he is doing his part (he better be), and I also don’t blame the whole village for selling their votes,” commented T Angami.
He observed that “there are genuine voters but because of some groups or individuals who took huge money during election, I feel the promises made seem far from being fulfilled and the whole village suffers.” “This, in fact is a trend in Nagaland politics,” he said.
However, he optimistically remarked “but all hope is not lost, with the 2023 general election ahead of us, a little ray of hope lingers somewhere at the back of one’s mind that the old village road might get repaired as promised by the concerned politician.”
