Left: An autorickshaw navigates its way through a patch of damaged road at Half- Nagarjan junction. Right: The road at City Tower junction where the iron divider can also be seen protruding towards the road. (Morung Photos)
Dimapur| July 5 : Recent monsoon may have brought cheer to some but it hasn’t been very cheerful for others- especially commuters. Rain has damaged several roads within Dimapur town and it is only getting worse. Pot holes and water logging is creating havoc for commuters, especially vehicles with low ground clearance. Besides, it has become potentially dangerous as vehicles try to navigate towards the better portion of the road, not concerned that they are on the wrong side. The extent of damage in most areas is extremely bad; and it is a wonder the department is sleeping over it.
Authorities sleep as roads go from bad to worse
The bad roads within the main town can be identified as the City Tower junction, Burma Camp police point (near over bridge), Half-Nagarjan junction, Nuton Basti junction, Dhobi Nullah junction (auto parking), Signal Basti junction and New Market. Many pot holes have formed due to fatigue of these road surfaces causing damage to vehicles. At the city tower junction (where water almost remains stagnant year round), the bad road condition coupled with the iron divider protruding towards the road, has become a threat to commuters. Also, the ditch at Dhobi Nullah junction is growing bigger, almost damaging the entire road. The pot hole near Burma Camp junction is nearly 1 mtr. The condition of roads in the outskirts of town is no better. The “National Highway” along Purana Bazar has also been damaged totally; as a result traffic around this area is slow.
Dimapur traffic police are having a harrowing time trying to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Increasing traffic coupled with bad road conditions is only making their work harder. Bad roads are slowing traffic in the town. Just a couple of months back, Dimapur traffic police was seen repairing a portion of the flyover, but it has begun to wither again. Kuda village public also took the initiative to repair the road within its jurisdiction. But these cosmetic covering will not hold for long though.
Dimapur is called the “commercial hub” of Nagaland. But the poor physical infrastructure like road puts the city to shame. Poor quality of materials used in building roads, clogged drains, unplanned drainage system, indifferent attitude of the government and the mute public has resulted in this state of affairs. With no commercial lanes, heavy vehicles use the same road putting more pressure on the already exploited roads. The roads are getting worse by the day; but worse to note that the department concerned is oblivious to it. Public also remain mute spectators, allowing the authorities to buy time.
Authorities sleep as roads go from bad to worse
The bad roads within the main town can be identified as the City Tower junction, Burma Camp police point (near over bridge), Half-Nagarjan junction, Nuton Basti junction, Dhobi Nullah junction (auto parking), Signal Basti junction and New Market. Many pot holes have formed due to fatigue of these road surfaces causing damage to vehicles. At the city tower junction (where water almost remains stagnant year round), the bad road condition coupled with the iron divider protruding towards the road, has become a threat to commuters. Also, the ditch at Dhobi Nullah junction is growing bigger, almost damaging the entire road. The pot hole near Burma Camp junction is nearly 1 mtr. The condition of roads in the outskirts of town is no better. The “National Highway” along Purana Bazar has also been damaged totally; as a result traffic around this area is slow.
Dimapur traffic police are having a harrowing time trying to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Increasing traffic coupled with bad road conditions is only making their work harder. Bad roads are slowing traffic in the town. Just a couple of months back, Dimapur traffic police was seen repairing a portion of the flyover, but it has begun to wither again. Kuda village public also took the initiative to repair the road within its jurisdiction. But these cosmetic covering will not hold for long though.
Dimapur is called the “commercial hub” of Nagaland. But the poor physical infrastructure like road puts the city to shame. Poor quality of materials used in building roads, clogged drains, unplanned drainage system, indifferent attitude of the government and the mute public has resulted in this state of affairs. With no commercial lanes, heavy vehicles use the same road putting more pressure on the already exploited roads. The roads are getting worse by the day; but worse to note that the department concerned is oblivious to it. Public also remain mute spectators, allowing the authorities to buy time.
