Wokha residents endure hazardous road condition year-round

Meribeni Kikon  
Wokha | March 6 

For residents of Wokha town, the treacherous road conditions have turned their daily commutes into a nightmare. Potholes resembling craters, worn-off bitumen, and deteriorating surfaces have transformed the town’s roads into perilous pathways, subjecting residents to a myriad of challenges throughout the year. 

From perilous conditions during monsoon to dusty and hazardous roads in winter and spring, local residents expressed frustration over the perpetual ordeal, stating that everyday feels like a battle just to traverse around the town. 

During monsoon, the roads transform into treacherous mudslides, making navigation a daunting task. Residents are left to contend with the constant threat of accidents and damage to their vehicles, they voiced out. The risk extends to drivers as well, with cars frequently skidding off the slippery roads, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. 

The plight doesn’t ease with the onset of winter as the town road transitions into a sea of dust, particularly in high-traffic areas of the main town. The combination of heavy vehicular movement and dusty conditions creates an environment ripe for respiratory issues and diminished visibility, further complicating commuting and navigation for residents. Many accidents arising out of the poor road conditions have done unreported, they said. 

Interacting with The Morung Express, EY Lotha, a senior citizen stressed how navigating these uneven and pothole-ridden roads has exacerbated her joint pain. She remarked that “the challenging terrain makes walking itself a daunting task, further limiting her as well as other senior citizens independence and quality of life.”

The road conditions are a formidable challenge for students who must commute to their schools and colleges every day. 

Orenvungi Khuvung, a student of Class 11 from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School and Eliyani Kikon, a student of GHSS Wokha emphasized on how students faced problems like transportation delays, making it difficult for them to reach school on time which in turn affects their academic performances. 

Commercial drivers are also confronted with a different set of obstacles which not only affect their livelihood but also endanger their lives. Constant vehicle breakdown and accidents are also a frequent affair.  

The adverse impact of the poor road conditions extends to economic repercussions, a driver who did not wished to be named said. “We often face delays and disruptions in our services such as picking and dropping of students and passengers due to road-related issues, leading to potential loss of income and financial instability,” he revealed. 

According to Thungbemo Lotha who travels by public transport, it is a daily ordeal of jolts and bumps that he has to endure every day. Moreover, the slippery and muddy surfaces during the monsoon further exacerbate accident risk, making it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles and navigate safely through the town, he added.

Teachers also echoed similar sentiment highlighting the detrimental impact on their daily life and academic pursuits. “During monsoon, it becomes mandatory for us to carry an extra set of clothing to the school considering the high probability that either the muddy and slippery roads will ruin our dress or a rash driver will splash sludge on us,” a teacher stated.

Residents have appealed that efforts to address the hazardous road conditions in Wokha town must be prioritized at the earliest for the safety and wellbeing of the community.