Dimapur citizens grapple with pothole-riddled roads

DIMAPUR — Dimapur, the main gateway and commercial hub of Nagaland, finds itself in a perpetual pothole crisis that has left residents frustrated and thrown traffic out of gear.

Despite periodic interventions by authorities to repair the potholes dotting the thoroughfares of the city, the quick-fix method using soil, sand and stone chips, have failed to mitigate the plight of vehicle drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.   

Many citizens have complaint about this daily ordeal on various platforms, including print and social media but in vain.

“We should not be afraid to express our struggles; our leaders must prioritise our safety and well-being,” a concerned citizen voiced out, sharing that potholes not only damage vehicles but also increase the risk of accidents, and therefore, requires immediate action.

Even as Dimapurians go through the daily hazard of plying the pothole-riddled roads, many of them several inches deep, it has been observed that the number of potholes has increased in the recent months, primarily due to severe weather conditions and inadequate road maintenance.

Broader implications

Dr. Athikho, a cardiologist at Zion Hospital and Research Centre, highlighted the broader implications of poor road conditions on health, especially during health emergencies.

“Ideally, individuals with heart conditions should not drive. They require a stress-free environment and that includes smooth road conditions to help keep their stress levels low during critical times,” he explained.

Maintaining that good roads are crucial for ensuring safer rides and smooth commuting experience, the doctor said stress and anxiety during rides can have adverse effects on elderly or people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

A woman shared a harrowing incident when her grandfather, a heart patient, had to be admitted at Zion Hospital in an emergency case.

“We had to take a longer route because we were worried that the bumpy ride on the shorter route, which was full of potholes, would cause him more pain. And though we took an ambulance, that did not make the situation any better because of the traffic snarls,” she recounted.

“And the road condition outside the hospital was also deplorable, not suitable for patients in critical conditions,” she added.

A doctor, who did not wish to be named, said that “bad roads lead to more dust pollution as air quality index increases, which is bad for people who wear contact lens as it is difficult to open our eyes due to dust”.

He also said poor road conditions lead to more distress for patients visiting hospitals, especially pregnant women and those who underwent surgeries.  

Financial strain

The expenses incurred both by private and commercial vehicle owners as a result of frequent repairing of vehicles due to bad roads, is concerning as well.

For Alun Singsit, an auto-rickshaw driver for the past 16 years, the financial strain caused by constant vehicle repairs puts a dent in his family’s budget. 

“Locals like us don’t earn much, and passengers often bargain, making it difficult to make ends meet,” he said. To add to his woes, he shared that he has to visit the garage at least twice a month.

When asked about the worst route in Dimapur, Singsit mentioned the Blue Hill Station road-stretch, saying that even after being repaired, it would deteriorate in no time due to the plying of many heavy vehicles on the stretch.

One has to visit to believe the pathetic condition of the Blue Hill Station road stretch: potholes resembling mini-ponds have become a common sight, severely affecting the traffic flow and safety of the public.

“The road condition here is unacceptable; we risk damaging the vehicles and putting passengers in danger,” one of the local bus drivers said. 

Livika Sumi, a resident of the locality, also voiced her frustrations. “Blue Hill Station is like a miniature Nagaland because the buses from every station make their stop here, but this poor road condition is such a disgrace,” she added.

Effects of potholes-linked traffic woes

Traffic congestion caused by poor road conditions in Dimapur has proven to be a nightmare for citizens from all walks of life – professionals, office goers, business people, shoppers or students. 

“Because of poor road condition and potholes, traffic congestion is more, leading to delays in reaching our workplace, besides car breakdowns and related maintenance problems are always there,” said Dr. Neilasakuo Linyü who works at District Hospital Dimapur.

For students, who are among the most frequent road users, the daily trudging over muddy and uneven streets to reach their institutions affects not only their school routines but also takes a toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.

“Every day, we have to go for our classes, and as you can see, we have white pants as our uniform and due to this bad road condition they get stained easily. Just thinking about it gives me unnecessary stress and not wanting to go for my classes,” said a student from SD Jain Girls’ College.

“They say the future is in the youth’s hand, but what happens when young people are constantly exhausted by physical aches and overwhelmed by stress?” another student asked.

Parents share similar frustration, as a resident of Sham Bazaar rued that dropping her children off to school has become a hassle.

“What used to be a quick trip now takes over 10 minutes because of potholes, damaging my vehicle and adding stress to our mornings,” she said.

As frustration mounts over the alleged failure of the concerned authorities to prioritise the required infrastructure repairs, jeopardising the safety and overall quality of life of the citizens, the call for urgent and lasting solution to the road woes also grows louder.

Interestingly, several promises were made by candidates of different political parties to solve the pothole-riddled roads of Dimapur during the recent urban local body (ULB) election, which have given hope to the public.

The question remains as to whether the concerned authorities would take decisive steps to address this persistent problem. Or will the plight of public continue to fall on deaf ears?

(The writer is a student of Mass Communication at Tetso College. She is currently an intern at Eastern Mirror).