To say that most of Nagaland’s roads are in a deplorable state is now a cliché. Generation after generation, Nagas have ridden on poor roads and have become so accustomed to them that they no longer seem to care. When a road maintenance or repair project – something that happens once in decades – is announced, people treat it like manna from heaven. Good roads are actually more a right than a divine blessing. Yet, these repaired roads rarely last a single monsoon before deteriorating again. However, since bad roads have become a part of the Naga way of life, good roads now seem almost like an alien concept. Talk about social conditioning!
One of the most common excuses given for poor roads is that Nagaland’s hilly terrain and loose soil make road maintenance difficult. But Nagaland is not the only place in the world with such conditions – other regions with similar landscapes still have well-maintained roads. Another excuse is “underground taxation,” while yet another is the vague, ever-present “corruption” bogeyman. While these factors may hold some truth, could it also be that contractors and officials exploit these excuses to fill their own pockets?
Nagas are a simple people who rely on trust and good faith in social contracts. As a result, they are often misled by individuals who bombard them with complex, incomprehensible explanations, leaving them confused and ultimately placated. Over time, they learn to compromise. Unfortunately, good faith does not yield good roads, and they remain as bad as ever.
If Nagaland is to have good roads, there are only two real solutions. First, organizations with the capacity to do so must take legal action. Yes, legal proceedings take time, and Nagas are known for their impatience. But roads are permanent infrastructure, and legal solutions offer lasting remedies. The second option is for subject matter experts – engineers, in this case – to lend their expertise. Most laypeople are misled by technical jargon used by those responsible for road maintenance. Those with knowledge of road construction must speak up on behalf of the public.
Until then, substandard roads will remain a part of the Naga way of life, faithfully passed down from one generation to the next – along with the honored tradition of complaining about them.