In the midst of hue and cry over the road condition in many parts of Nagaland, the timely overlaying and pavement of roadin the capital town hasgiven immense joy to the denizens of Kohima. The drivers and travellers alike are now enjoying the smooth drive in town. The concerned department have proved competence in bringing about the longing of the people with speed and quality work. The project from TCP gate to Indira Gandhi (IG) Stadium and from the same site to Botsa undertaken by them is praiseworthy. The making of roads with up-to-date machines such as road pavers, vibrating road rollers, Asphalt Hot Mixed Plant, etc., have added to the excellent workmanship. Although the works is still in process, the quality works is well received by the publics.
Now, the National Highways and projects undertaken by the BRTF in the past have turned out to be a complete disaster. The uses of old machines in the construction are not fit for building modern roads anymore. It is simply out-dated. The tortoise-like works for years by this project has given much annoyance and disgrace to the Naga people. The Nagas are being easily hood winked and fooled but we remain mute. Remember the old adage by Abraham Lincoln, “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. “Rendall Terry adds to that line of thought saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” The Naga publics, bodies and other organizations have to learn their lessons from the shame that we have earned for ourselves. Almost all the works undertaken by the latter groupis less than satisfactory; forget about the quality workmanship!Hence, it is to the public judgmentthat I leave and the decision makers to deliberate ploddinglyand hand over the whole road projects to the local companies that are faithfully and accountably executing the project works.
Sede Khamo and Vebu Khamo
High School Area, Kohima
