An old man walks down a road in Nagaland, most of which continue to remain difficult to walk or drive on. With a truck load of promises on better road condition and connectivity, how much gravel the government’s promises hold will be scanned as observers ask 2013 to be declared “Year of Road Development.” (Morung File Photo)
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 17
The people’s long felt desire to have better roads is apparently heading towards the right direction with the DAN III government having accorded road sector as its highest priority and Minister for Roads & Bridges Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu assuring to translate the same into reality.
In 2003, Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a road trip from the only airport in Nagaland at Dimapur to Kohima, the first by an Indian Prime Minister. Reflecting on that journey, Vajpayee wryly remarked, in his inimitable style, at a public reception: “I was told that, of all the roads in the State, this is the best. If this is the best, it is difficult to imagine how bad the worst is.”
There is no denying the fact that during rainy season, most of the roads become muddy and dust takes over the roads during dry season, thereby effectiveness of maintaining all weather roads remain a big challenge.
Roads form the foremost component for developmental activities, said Lima, a concerned citizen and welcomed the State’s government commitment to give highest priority to the road sector. He termed it as a “right step.”
He continued that good roads will improve the living standard of the people and enable them to engage in different activities, which would in return boost the economy of the people and the State. An observer was of the view that it would be befitting on the part of the government to set aside 2013 as the “Year of Road Development.”
Through such an initiative major portion of the funds can be allocated for this purpose and also the central government’s support be sought to meaningfully carry out the task of road improvement throughout Nagaland, says the observer.
He added that road is the one sector where everyone depended for their daily activities. However, taking into consideration that an individual cannot maintain or construct roads, he was of the opinion that it ought to be on the top priority of the government to see that proper roads are maintained/constructed so as to make way for entrepreneurs and local farmers thereby boosting the economy of Nagaland state. He commented that good roads will go a long way in providing employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth and others to run taxi.
Pleased by the government’s priority on road sector, Kuvetho is optimistic that Nagaland will see drastic change in the road sector if the goals set by the government are implemented. Also stating that Nagaland today is on the world map as an attractive designation for tourist for its unique identity and the much hyped Hornbill festival, he opined that good road is of paramount importance. He continued that proper drainage system which is found lacking must be addressed by the government. He also stated that quality control should be insisted during road construction.
Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in the recent state assembly session stated that the state’s roads need the immediate attention of the government, both in Nagaland and in New Delhi. “In a resource strapped state like ours, the Government of India must appreciate the fact that the allocation of funds for new roads and infrastructure need to be backed up by grants for their maintenance and upkeep,” Rio said.
Last year, Rio at the Indian Road Congress in Kohima, has highlighted the major challenges faced by the state in quality road construction and called upon the IRC to ponder over and search for suitable technology necessary for the highly rain fed hilly terrains which experienced frequent landslides devastating the roads and bridges.
Admitting roads as the basic component of infrastructure for development, the then Governor Nikhil Kumar in his address at the just concluded assembly session said that the DAN government will continue to give the highest priority to road development. He said the citizens have equal responsibility to look after their roads, saying “Naga public, both at the individual and community level, need to develop a sense of ownership, and take care of our roads.”
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) in its 2013 polls manifesto also stated that land locked Nagaland is predominantly dependent on roads for movement, communication and connectivity, adding the party was well aware that better roads can change the destiny of the people for the better.
In developing roads and bridges, the NPF in its manifesto assured to carry out all measures for early realization of the Kohima- Dimapur four lane highway, speed up road widening projects of all important state and national highways, increase the role of local entrepreneurs in construction of roads and bridges etc. etc.
Expounding some of his priorities, Minister for Roads and Bridges Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said rate committee would be introduced to deal and monitor the rate involved in road construction. Other priorities included setting up of monitoring cell to check the progress and quality of works, and also to change the tendering system.
Azo regretted that roads in Nagaland don’t last because the specifications of the DPR are not being followed by the contractors. He declared “never compromise” on quality of work in any project. Assuring that he will be available on the spot to monitor the works, Nienu stated that he is even ready to sleep on the road side to supervise work to make sure of quality.
Meanwhile, , the state cabinet has reportedly taken a decision to handover the task of maintenance and upkeep of the village roads and approach roads to the Village Council and Village Development Board through Rural Development department.
