Even after decades of Statehood, roads in Nagaland continue to be in a derelict state. While private development has exacerbated over the year’s development in government sector remains in complete nadir.
Perhaps the Government need to understand the socio-economic development and subsequent economic growth of any society is strongly linked to its transport infrastructure. Lack of adequate quality transport system is one of the pernicious factors hampering the potential development in Nagaland. This problem is most felt in rural area. With the major chunk of the population of Nagaland residing in rural area, it is imperative more emphasis should be given by the Government in building durable road in rural area, as this road are the only lifeline and only mean of communication with larger society in the absence of railway and air connectivity.
Rural people can effectively drive the socio-economic development of the state and feel more included in economic development of society, but they are been hogtied by limited access to good road networks connecting them to the modern market and larger society.
The level and quality of transportation system in any area are of crucial significance in influencing political, economy and social progress and these must be paramount at every stage of local, national and regional development planning. To keep socio-economic moving, good road networks become indispensable.
Without good road, it is intricate to have socially inclusive development intervention. Improve road networks brings humongous benefits to local community. This includes better accessibility to social infrastructure (School, college, university and health care). Increase access to education and health care improve social interaction and mobility.
100 of crores are pumped into Nagaland by Government of India every financial year to construct and build roads. However, the more crore our Government get, roads become more and more un-motorable. Maybe it is the policy of the government to keep the citizens save and forbid social interaction so that they can keep on looting public money mean for the development down to the last penny.
A good and reliable transport road is vital. There is a very strong positive correlation between society economic development and the quality of its road network. This contention is supported by Bihar economic growth; economic revival of Bihar was directly linked to its good road and infrastructure.
Not only is the road coverage in Nagaland insufficient, but even where they do exist they are either in abysmal condition or are totally impassable especially during rainy season, there is not a single road in Nagaland worthy to be called road. Insatiable hedonism by our elected Politicians has put the development of Nagaland in a threshold.
If Government can prodigally spend crores of money for festival with zero revenue from it, why is the Government not improving the road where economy of the state depends? A festival is the celebration of achievement, prosperity, good health and wealth but is it not ironic that we have not achieved anything yet as a state, though we continue to celebrate festival with all gaiety. Government cannot for long continue to beg with NAGA WAISTCOAT, Delhi has enough. Invest in road and infrastructure, give development a chance.
P. Achumse, Kiphire
