Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Thursday that the government is working on a policy to ensure that there are no potholes on national highways by the year-end. The policy will include performance-based maintenance and short-term maintenance contracts to remove potholes. Young engineers will also be roped in to make the project a success. The government’s plan to make national highways pothole-free is a welcome development. Also, the government’s plan to rope in young engineers to make the project a success is particularly noteworthy. Young engineers bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table. They are also more likely to be familiar with the latest technologies and best practices in road construction and maintenance. However, it is important to note that the pothole problem is not limited to national highways. State highways and local roads are also plagued by potholes. The government needs to take a comprehensive approach to address the pothole problem on all roads.
Closer to home in Nagaland, the sight of pothole-ridden roads has become distressingly common. For drivers, navigating around these craters has become an unwelcome part of daily life. Potholes are not just an inconvenience; they pose a genuine safety hazard to both drivers and pedestrians. With substantial funds allocated to road infrastructure, one would expect a significant improvement in road quality. However, the persistence of this problem is rooted in deep-seated issues, including corruption and the outright shoddy construction of roads. Though significant funds are released for roads every year, it feels like no road can last more than six months in Nagaland. As such, the Union government’s ambitious goal of achieving pothole-free national highways by the year-end raises skepticism when applied to Nagaland’s context.
Rampant corruption, lack of knowledge and skills on the part of contractors to build and maintain roads properly, use of inferior quality materials, poor construction practices, water stagnation on roads, and lack of maintenance are perhaps some of the factors why we don’t have pothole-free roads in Nagaland. Achieving pothole-free roads demands a fundamental shift towards transparency, accountability, high-quality materials, and regular road inspections and maintenance. Perhaps, the government could contemplate offering training programs for road construction contractors, emphasizing best practices and the utilization of superior materials. Furthermore, the strict enforcement of construction standards is essential to ensure long-lasting, durable roads.
While the Union government’s initiative to eradicate potholes is promising, its success in Nagaland hinges on addressing these underlying issues comprehensively. Only through collective efforts, strict adherence to construction standards, and a commitment to transparency and accountability can Nagaland hope to witness the much-needed transformation of its road infrastructure. Until then, the pothole predicament remains a formidable challenge on the path to smoother and safer journeys.