[dropcap]A[/dropcap] traveler journeying across our state can see a lot of new roads being cut and new bridges being constructed and inaugurated. Good roads are signs of development and progress; but it may be more appealing if the existing roads are maintained along with it. The Swedish Proverb goes “Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water”. An ordinary person like me finds it very difficult to understand the logic behind why go on cutting the new roads and building new bridges and inaugurate consecutively while the existing roads remain abandoned or untouched or not maintained. Is it because the people in authority want to divert the routes towards their villages? Or do they want to create a name, “during my tenure” this was done?
Looking at the present condition of the road no one will be left without feeling pity for the vehicles especially plying between Dimapur –Kohima on the so called National High Way 29 and the passengers for the tedious back breaking and bone crushing horse ride.The concerned department had assured the public to change the face of this road before next April. But the monsoon season is at our door step with the showers. While waiting 10 – 11 months for a better road, the monsoon rains may worsen the condition of the road! I wonder why the road is not repaired at the earliest. At least hire a JCB and a roller for a day or two to fill and level it with some pebbles/stones the ‘fishery-pond-type-roads’! Is the department so poor to hire a JCB for a day or two? Can’t the representatives of the people share the responsibility to do something for these pathetic roads which belongs to all the Nagas or one has been elected only to mind one’s own department! Are these not priorities? If not, what?
Coming to Kohima in particular, can the toll taxes, parking taxes and other taxes collected for a day or two be utilized to cover up the pits along the National High Way especially between the BOC to Lerie point? Our children walking to schools in their beautiful uniforms face the toughest difficulty. The rich people’s children are dropped by vehicles but pity to those who come from economically poorer families because they have to walk and reach their schools. Let the story of Rich and Lazarus given in Luke’s gospel (16:19-31) remind us to be mindful of our neighbours. The rich man landed in the place of torment, not because of any murder, theft, rape or any other commission, but because of the sin of omission.
Rev Fr. George Rino
Cathedral Church, Kohima
