Another highway in danger as systemic corruption, difficult terrain pose a challenge to Nagaland’s connectivity. Lack of funds is often cited. However the latest update is that Delhi has released more funds for road connectivity. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India has allocated Rs 69 crores. The latest fund sanctioned comes under the Economic Importance and Inter State Connectivity Scheme (EI & ISC) for the year 2017-2018.
Is this the next road to fall off the connectivity map of Nagaland?
Against the backdrop of the Government of Nagaland’s high profile ‘colloquium’ to collectively evolve a strategy for better implementation of road projects in Nagaland, the fall-out of decades of systemic corruption is now manifested in the depilating infrastructure—falling roads and bridges across Nagaland.
STOP, WATCH OR FALL TO DEATH—A vehicle negotiating the narrow road in between Dimapur to Jalukie. This picture was taken on October 13, 2017. Also called the Khopanullah road, this is the shortest route connecting Dimapur to Peren district and beyond into Manipur. Extra caution would be required especially driving at night or else it will be fatal.
Nagaland gets more funds for road connectivity
Naga Republic News
In what will come as a relief for Nagaland, reeling as it is with its road infrastructure crumbling due to a combination of poor workmanship (corruption) and inclement weather, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India has allocated Rs 69 crores. The latest fund sanctioned comes under the Economic Importance and Inter State Connectivity Scheme (EI & ISC) for the year 2017-2018.
The Naga Republic has accessed the letter of sanction dated September 12, 2017 which has been issued to Public Works Department of all concerned States. Of the total amount of Rs 815 crores sanctioned under this scheme for the entire country, Nagaland has been allocated the second highest amount after Tamil Nadu (Rs 80 crores).
Of interest to note is that the amount received by Nagaland is higher than the combined allocation for the other Northeast States. The total combined fund for Assam (Rs 11 cr), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 26 cr), Manipur (Rs 8 cr), Meghalaya (Rs 8 cr), Mizoram (Rs 0), Sikkim (Rs 10 cr) and Tripura (Rs 0) comes to Rs 63 crores.
Nagaland with Rs 69 crores will hopefully be able to utilize this funding judiciously without any misappropriation so that some of the damage done to its roads and bridges can be restored urgently through this timely funding from Delhi.
The latest casualty appears to be the road connecting Dimapur to the commercial hub of Peren district, Jalukie and beyond. Known as the Khopanullah road, the route passes through Chumukedima area, including the new Dimapur DC Headquarter and then into Sokhuvi area, which is home to the Assam Rifles Training Centre and also the all-important railway line that is being build towards Zubza, Kohima.
The picture taken by The Naga Republic on October 13, 2017 clearly shows the narrow road in a state of collapse. The undue rains, despite the end of the monsoon season, have not helped either, precipitating damage to our road infrastructure. However only blaming the terrain or climate will not solve the long term solution for good roads.
Corruption at the top must end if we are to see the “successful event on road connectivity”, as tweeted by Chief Minister TR Zeliang, translate into building good quality roads that would survive heavy traffic and inclement weather.
The above mentioned road to Peren district via Jalukie is the shortest route available for commuters. Taking into consideration the nature of damage on this road section (see picture), where the soil is loose with no rocks or vegetation cover for support, the concerned department should immediately stop and divert traffic till repair is carried out so that safety of commuters on this busy road is given priority.
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1 Comment
Zing
October 23, 2017 - 12:01 amWhen Tening/Nsong Road have been neglected for 30 yes. What can we expect how? It also connect us to Manipur and Assam. But, neglected by the then constituent MLA and present CM. Nothing to dream or hope for. The whole system is corrupted. Always going for new road may bring more fund but, not maintaining the old road will bring downfall, downfall of the naga era.