The dismal conditions of roads in various locations in Dimapur are seen in this collage photo from handouts by the Sangtam Students' Union Dimapuron August 22. (Clockwise from top)- City Clock Tower Junction; Tajen Ao Road; Signal and Dhobinalla Junction.
SSUD urges authorities to urgently address issue
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 22
A common joke among the citizens of Nagaland is that roads only get repaired in December or just before the Hornbill Festival. However, as swiftly as the roads are restored, they deteriorate by the following year, and the cycle repeats itself.
In the commercial hub of Dimapur, the monsoon season has exposed the deteriorating conditions, with most roads crumbling under the weight of heavy vehicular traffic and natural elements. This is especially evident in the main town areas of the city, where enormous potholes create undue hurdles for commuters.
On clear days, dust stirred up by moving vehicles plagues commuters, while during rainy days, muddy puddles wreak havoc for both pedestrians and vehicles. At Tajen Ao Road, a vital inter-state link, both sides of National Highway-29 are riddled with potholes. A similar situation is observed in other locations within the commercial city, including Golaghat Road, New Market Area, and Dhobinala.
During the recently concluded elections to the Urban Local Bodies, most candidates made lofty promises of repairing the roads if elected. However, these promises have yet to be fulfilled on the ground.
Meanwhile, drawing public attention to the issue, the Sangtam Students' Union Dimapur (SSUD) on Thursday urged the government to address the road and drainage conditions in Dimapur, as they have direct consequences for the student community. The union also provided photos of many locations in Dimapur riddled with potholes or lacking proper asphalt.
A statement issued by its President, Chongrokhum Sangtam, and General Secretary, Rotila Sangtam, mentioned that every citizen of Dimapur, particularly students who make up a large portion of daily road commuters, is entitled to travel smoothly on good roads in any season or weather.
"Every right-minded individual is aware that good roads save time, money from constant car repairs, and lives," it said. Moreover, the union pointed out that the government already collects indirect taxes through fuel, the purchase of cars and accessories, as well as parking fees by local administration. The portion of funds required to repair and maintain roads, drainage, and footpaths must be utilised with all seriousness, it contended.
The SSUD also noted that many of these roads pass through educational institutions, hospitals, and churches. Apart from daily personal and work-related stress, the experience of driving on rough, uneven, badly rutted roads affects people’s mental health, leading to more complications in their social and professional lives, it pointed out.
Accordingly, the SSUD highlighted what it termed the indifferent attitude of the State Government regarding the condition of the roads, stating that it “certainly seems to be failing in gaining the confidence of the people.”
The union also cited an analysis from IIT Roorkee and CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, showing that “if maintained properly, a network of city roads could save 0.128 million litres of fuel per 1,000 vehicle-km over the next 15 years.”
Considering the advantages of good roads in daily life and the economy, the SSUD urged authorities to understand the seriousness of the situation. Quality roads are essential for a clean, safe, and progressive Dimapur, it added.Consider the advantages of having a good roads in daily lives and as well as the economy and understand the seriousness of the situation, the SSUD urged.
Quality roads are essential for a clean, safe, and progressive Dimapur, it added.
