Youth volunteers filling up potholes near Signal Bosti evening bazaar on April 12. (Photo Courtesy/Aden Jamir)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 12
Bad road with numerous potholes features almost everywhere in the town as well as in the State. The woe of bad road seems limitless and no alleviation seems to reach some places.
There was great sight of hope when the department and authorities concerned repaired roads in some places in Dimapur early this year. However, residents of Signal Bosti, in particular were left disappointed when the road construction did not take the directions towards the area.
The residents have stopped complaining about bumpy rides, accidents and flooding. It is the same story or the worse every year.
Talking about the road condition one of the youth who travels through the road everyday for his office said, “Today I hit a rickshaw. The rickshaw driver could not paddle and came backward. He was very happy actually. For the first time, the aggrieved party was happy in an accident. It is truly a 21st century road!” He challenged saying, “Promise, I will pay you Rs.1000 if you can find black tar along the road.”
There is no disagreement from any individual on how dangerous the potholes are becoming for the commuters.
Tagging the road as “horrible” another man who comes to attend work at his office in Signal Bosti said, “They (department and authorities) have repaired almost all the roads in Dimapur but they have ignored Signal.”
“The Signal Bosti road is like our corrupted Nagaland government right now,” said a woman teacher residing in Signal Bosti. She adds, “Words cannot express how bad it is. Not even a small part is smooth. Don’t want to travel to market because of the road.”
Youths step out for repairing road
It comes as no surprise to hear stories of people who have taken it upon themselves to repair or build roads- apparently tired of waiting upon government or any other authorities. Seeing no sight of any positive initiative or proposal from the authorities concerned, a group of young people undertook the task of repairing the road in their locality.
Some youths of Signal Bosti under the banner of “Trinity House” pulled together around thirty-six members and filled up potholes in the stretch of road near the Signal Bosti evening-bazaar. “Trinity House” is one of the groups under Dimapur Ao Baptist Church Signal Fellowship for the youth ministry.
They collected no monetary fund but just construction debris from their homes and neighbors. Most of them are students and volunteers in the Church. However, they contributed from their pocket for the repairing work. Some people donated their vehicles and pulling-cart for transporting the materials collected for the road repair.
The repair comes as a quick fix to the problem but it would not last long once the rainy season sets in. The area is identified as one of the worst affected by flooding due to bad roads and poor or no drainage system.
The youth volunteers hope that through their small contribution they would be ready to sending out positive message to those in authority to roll in road construction in Signal Bosti.
