Vishü Rita Krocha
Given the deplorable road condition in Nagaland, one can imagine the joy when any stretch of road is being repaired. Just a few months ago, we were elated at the sight of blacktopping in our colony. Good roads- such a basic right and need of the citizens, but we still take delight in watching the roads being repaired after years and years, or even decades.
In between, we just choose to remain silent and patiently tolerate the bumpy rides while some of us complain away amongst ourselves. Either way, our dissatisfaction ends there. And then, a fresh sign of development for better roads shows up after a really really long time and we are happy and excited as if somebody is doing us a very special favour. Whereas that’s a basic right we ought to have. But that’s us! Citizens who have become used to so many-everyday-problems and we just let them be.
The road repair in my colony that I mentioned earlier- well, I wasn’t surprised the workmanship didn’t last. Our happiness was so shortlived. Just a few months since the beautifying and there are potholes everywhere now. Just a few months! And yet, this is the Nagaland I know. It’s a shame that several pockets of the state capital still have no access to good roads. If this is the case with Kohima, one can only imagine the road condition in other parts of the state. I know they are terrible!
Especially during this time of the year, the plight of every citizen whether as a pedestrian, a driver or a passenger, is immense as far as roads are concerned. In most pockets of the town, there are no footpaths. You wonder why there is so much traffic jam. Pedestrians are also compelled to walk and occupy a little space in the already narrow road meant for cars. A little hindrance here and there adds up to all the traffic that we endure everyday and take it as a way of life here. It’s not Kohima if there is no traffic jam.
On rainy days, I always feel for young students who have to carry such heavy schoolbags- bags, even adults feel the weight sitting on your shoulders (can something be done about the bags?) - and walk home through the rain. Worse still, having to walk through muddy roads, dirty car splashes (a result of potholed ridden roads) on some unlucky days, and ending up with dirty school uniforms and shoes.
Even the rich with their best cars cannot have the best rides. Us, commoners always have it worst in respect of everything. But the point here is, these pathetic roads affect all of us in different ways. But isn’t it sad we become accustomed to all these inconveniences? Especially when it’s a basic right we, as citizens can claim.
I see limitless possibilities if we have good roads across Nagaland. Imagine how much more we can do, how much more our state’s economy can grow, how much more beautiful and cleaner our state would look, how much more time we can save, and how much more energy we can save for greater pursuits. But we can only daydream about all these and more, so long as you and I are content with our pathetic roads.
