If a road as vital as National Highway-29 or Dimapur-Kohima road is left neglected, construction of all-weather roads in rural areas is out of question.
Roads are perhaps the most talked-about topic in Nagaland. Discussions about improving road connectivity become even more pronounced during elections, whether for state assemblies or municipal councils, as candidates employ this overused, surefire strategy to woo the electorate. In fact, an election manifesto is incomplete without promises of constructing roads and resolving the protracted Naga political issue, which often take precedence over other challenges such as youth unemployment, inadequate health facilities, and an outdated education system. Yet promises of constructing all-weather roads remain unfulfilled to this day for most areas, particularly villages in far-flung parts of the state, while the completed ones usually do not last even a couple of monsoons, either due to landslides caused by inclement weather or poor workmanship. An all-weather road is to Nagaland what a mirage is to a desert. Both are illusions. However, the "mirages" on Nagaland's roads have actual water in the form of deep potholes, which pose a safety risk to commuters. There is no respite as road conditions have worsened across the state due to monsoon rains. If a road as vital as National Highway-29, which is supposed to significantly reduce the travel time between the state’s commercial hub Dimapur and capital city Kohima by providing seamless connectivity, continues to face maintenance challenges, one can only imagine the condition of roads in peripheral parts of the state. Who will fix this perpetual matter, and when? The governments, both at the Centre and the state, should be held accountable for failing to provide good roads to the public. Government agencies, departments, and private contractors also share this responsibility.
It is a pity that even the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which is expected to lead road construction from the front by demonstrating efficiency, quality and timely completion, is undermining what it aims to champion by delaying projects, besides facing allegations of poor workmanship. The centrally owned construction firm has fallen short of redefining connectivity in Nagaland amid unprecedented delays, for which the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has recently expressed displeasure. The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has also called for its removal as the implementing agency for the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane road, alleging poor workmanship, prolonged delays, and inadequate maintenance. The NHIDCL must not disregard public concerns. Much of the prospect of road connectivity lies in its hands, as it is executing a total of 37 road projects in the state, 16 of which are ongoing, according to information provided on its official website. Some of the major ongoing projects are NH-29, Kohima–Mao Road (NH-02), Kohima–Jessami Road (NH-29 / NH-202), Peren–Dimapur Section (NH-129A), Kohima Bypass Road, and Merangkong–Tamlu–Mon Road, among others. It is time for the state-owned firm to step up and complete these vital projects on time without compromising on quality. Whether or not to improve road connectivity in the state is primarily in its court.