Wokha Roads: Hindering Livelihoods and Safety

December 6, 2024 10 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Wokha | December 6

Wokha district has long been known as the land of plenty in the state of Nagaland. However, residents and commuters are growing increasingly frustrated with the poor condition of roads. The road conditions in Wokha town have been in a state of disrepair for several years, but monsoon rains and ongoing neglect have exacerbated the problem. Major roads, including the NH-61 which connects Wokha to other districts such as Mokokchung District in Nagaland, are riddled with potholes, large cracks, and uneven surfaces. Speaking with The Morung Express, some shopkeepers around the town shared that the roads around their shop are in terrible condition, especially during the rainy season. Potholes and muddy streets make it difficult for customers to reach the shop which results in fewer people coming to their shops and sales drop.

One shopkeeper informed that when it rains, the areas outside shops flood because there’s no proper drainage. The water not only damages the ground but also affects goods, especially items that are sensitive to moisture. The water stagnates on the road and around the shops in every corner of the town, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. The shopkeepers expressed frustration, emphasizing the need for authorities to address these issues.

Public transport drivers, school children, and delivery services are particularly affected. Local transport such as autorickshaws, buses and taxis frequently experience delays due to poor roads; and parents worry about the safety of their children.

“I have to take my kids to school every day, and it’s always a challenge. The roads are so bad that we have to drive extremely slowly to avoid accidents. It’s stressful, especially when the rain makes it even worse,” said Zuthungbeni, a mother of two.

Farmers in some villages under Wokha face challenges to transport their goods to markets, affecting both livelihood and the local economy. Sometimes, their produce gets damaged due to the rough roads.

Chonchanthung Ezung, a class 10 student from Wokha, believed that the deteriorating road are slowing down both economic growth and daily life. He shared that Wokha’s roads are now suffering due to a combination of poor planning, lack of preservation, and resistance from some people who refuse to provide small plots of land for essential drainage.

“Wokha is a developing district, and roads are crucial to our progress,” he said. “While the roads are still in a somewhat passable condition, they are deteriorating because of negligence. Some areas face frequent potholes that cause extensive damage to vehicles. Students are late for school, and workers face delays reaching their offices.

He also pointed out that Wokha’s road network, built on hilly terrain, presents unique challenges. The steep slopes increase the likelihood of accidents, traffic jams, and damage to vehicles. Heavy vehicles like trucks and excavators struggle to pass through narrow, two-lane roads, especially when traffic is high. The lack of proper safety measures, such as road signs, cones, and barriers, also adds to the risks. “There are very few signs warning of dangerous curves or areas with potholes. This poses a serious threat to the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike,” he noted.

Despite repeated complaints from the community, road maintenance and repair efforts have been slow and inconsistent. Many residents are frustrated by the lack of visible progress. For now, Wokha residents continue to endure the challenges posed by poor road conditions, hoping that the promises of improvement will soon turn into tangible results. In the meantime, many citizens are taking matters into their own hands by calling for more immediate interventions, including temporary fixes in their own colonies.