Workers undertaking the laborious task of cleaning the road side on the Dimapur-Chümoukedima four-lane highway. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 29
Amidst large amounts of accumulated soil and dust particles strewn across the Dimapur-Chümoukedima four-lane highway, the Town Council of Chümoukedima has undertaken strenuous efforts to remove these within its jurisdiction. Workers on Wednesday were seen tirelessly sweeping the road dividers of dust so as to ensure the town looks clean, aesthetically and for citizens’ health.
Speaking with one of them, Meren shared that they have been undertaking the manual work since the last two-weeks starting from the edge of town. A total of six workers, all volunteers were tasked to remove the huge amounts of dust particles from the road. It is a laborious task, the workers admit, as all of it has to be collected and removed manually which takes considerable amount of time. These are then collected in cement bags and used for road filling or other purposes.
At the same time however, the volunteer workers shared the many challenges involved in cleaning the road sides as they state it would be a futile exercise if others do not do initiate same in their own respective jurisdictions. For which, “It would be helpful if all the shopkeepers near the road side sweep and clean their own areas regularly,” Meren viewed.
In addition, if authorities from both the two districts, Dimapur and Chümoukedima jointly clean their road side areas, the dust problem would be significantly reduced.
“It is the collective responsibility for all of us to keep our towns clean after all,” he adds.
A report by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) also points out that the major sources of air pollution in Dimapur and the adjoining areas were, “dust raised from vehicular movement on the dusty roads.” The other factors responsible were construction activity, emission from small scale industries such as stone crushers, sand mahals, tyre vulcanization unit, among others. This raises serious health concerns for citizens living in these urban centers, “putting people at additional risk of respiratory disease and other health problems,” the authorities say.
