Bad roads and drainage woes plague Kiphire town

February 24, 2024 7 Views No Comment

Up to the people for demanding the needed change

P Achumse Yingbithongru
Kiphire | February 24

Kiphire was declared an ‘Aspirational District’ by the Government of India in November 2017. The objective was to develop the district at par with other districts across Nagaland and with the rest of India, both in terms of basic infrastructure, education, health and communication.

The noble intention has however gone haywire and development stuck in a conundrum. As told to The Morung Express by the residents, the roads, alongwith the potholes, and drainage, in Kiphire town have become a source of public irritation due to the deteriorating conditions.

Community Voice
Selithrong Sangtam, former Chairperson of the Medical Ward described the conditions as “living in a warzone.” “Water accumulates every time it rains, leading to flooding and water logging. This not only disrupts daily life but also raises concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases,” he said.

Another resident, I Stefen, shared a similar sentiment, stating, “The poor state of our infrastructure has a direct impact on the quality of life of residents as commuting becomes a nightmare, business suffers due to accessibility issues and the risk of accidents increase manifold.”

According to Seroba Sangtam, it is high time the authorities take notice of the pressing issues and take concrete steps to address them. He said that temporary fixes will no longer suffice. “What is needed is a comprehensive plan for the overhaul of our infrastructure as the safety and well-being of our community depend on it.”

The combination of the poor road conditions and lack of proper drainage is exacerbating the problem, while rain results in water logging that not only impede traffic but also contribute to road deterioration and safety issues, said Tongseli.

Community action
As there has been no response from the concerned authority, Atsase Yingbithongru said that residents are taking upon themselves to construct retaining walls along sinking areas, while maintaining roads and drainages that have been left unattended for years.

Thriliba, a student leader, said that infrastructure is not a luxury but a necessity for a community to thrive. “Residents and businesses deserve better and it’s up to us to demand the change we need.

“Economy of a progressing town, state and nation is closely tied to its basic infrastructure as such let us not forget our roads and the impact it has on us all. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that our streets are safe, accessible and source of pride for generations to come,” he said.