Wokha: Residents repair road on their own after government inaction

June 23, 2024 7 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Wokha | June 23

Residents of Government High School Colony in Wokha on Saturday independently undertook the repair of a road left neglected for years.

The road, which passes through their colony, serves as a vital link to the District Hospital, Wokha and had deteriorated to such an extent that it posed severe challenges for both commuter and residents. The large potholes, mud and slush made it hazardous, particularly during the rainy seasons.

Nearly 200 volunteers, including the elderly, youths and children, joined together in a display of community spirit to work tirelessly in filling the potholes, leveling the road and laying down new gravels.

Mhonyamo, Chairman of Government High School Colony Council highlighted the extensive repair needed along the road leading to the District Hospital, noting that some areas have potholes nearly one foot deep.

He pointed out the significant challenges faced by passing vehicles and pedestrians, particularly those commuting to school or offices, who risk being splashed with muddy water from passing cars, leading to missed work or school.

The poor condition of the road had significant impact on patients needing access to the hospital. Similarly, school children struggled to reach their classes on time, frequently arriving with their uniforms soiled by mud, he stated. Seeing these challenges firsthand, the community felt compelled to take action, he added.

Amos Humtsoe, Colony Secretary, highlighted the activities undertaken for road repairs, emphasizing the efforts made by residents. With contributions from residents and well-wishers, they took to task without any machinery and relying only on physical labour. He said the repair work extends from the Government High School colony gate to the District Hospital Colony and Zuvotong Colony.

Humtsoe informed that the residents of the colony have had to undertake such initiatives for years since the state government was not providing them any support.

One of the main challenges, he pointed out, is the difficulty faced by school students, particularly nursery students. Due to the poor road conditions, caretakers or parents often find it challenging to drop them off safely, resulting in students arriving at school with dirty shoes and uniforms. Furthermore, vehicles frequently encounter navigation issues due to the presence of deep potholes in the area.

Nyimshio Kikon, Colony GB, said they took initiative due to their concern over the hardships faced by students and issues with vehicular traffic.

Interacting with The Morung Express, a senior citizen highlighted the burden of commuting daily on such dilapidated roads, especially for hospital visits. A student recounted her daily struggles, including dirty uniforms and mud splashes from passing vehicles, sometimes leading to missed classes. She appealed to the government for a solution to these challenges.

The residents are hoping that after the ULB Election 2024, the elected members would give priority in addressing these issues.

They also urged the government to take action in maintaining the road as it serves as a crucial route for patients seeking medical care.

Members of the public, who traverse the route daily, expressed appreciation for the proactive efforts of the Government High School Colony residents for their selfless efforts in repairing the road.