For years, the state of roads in Mokokchung, especially the National Highways, has been a source of frustration, economic loss, and safety hazards. Each monsoon season turns the already fragile infrastructure into craters of mud and gravel, disrupting transport, trade, healthcare access, and daily life. Yet, year after year, the cycle of complaints, blame, and temporary patchwork repairs continues, with little lasting improvement. It is time for the public and civil society to take practical steps to influence change and demand accountability.
First, there must be a clear shift from mere criticism to constructive engagement. Civil society groups, student bodies, and local councils can collaborate to form independent road monitoring committees. These committees can track project timelines, verify the quality of work, and make findings public. When data is transparent, negligence and corruption have less room to thrive.
Second, public advocacy needs to become strategic and sustained. Sporadic protests or social media outbursts are not enough. Citizens can organize petitions, file Right to Information (RTI) applications, and hold consultative meetings with contractors and government agencies. When public pressure is combined with evidence and feasible proposals, authorities are more likely to act.
Third, there should be exploration of alternative funding and maintenance models. Public-private partnerships, community-driven repair projects for critical stretches, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from local industries are options worth examining. While road construction is primarily a government responsibility, citizen initiatives can accelerate small but vital improvements.
Finally, accountability must be pursued through legal means where necessary. If contractors repeatedly deliver substandard work or projects stall without reason, civil society can explore public interest litigation to enforce standards and timelines.
The above are suggestions only and may not be agreeable to all. These must be considered as icebreakers for provoking conversation and action rather than final solutions. Mokokchung cannot afford to treat bad roads as an annual inevitability. They are a reflection of governance and public resolve. The time has come for citizens to move beyond complaints and take ownership of the solution through vigilance, advocacy, and innovation.
