Will This Time Be Different for Mokokchung’s Traffic Rules?

The latest circular issued by the Mokokchung district administration on traffic regulations, to be enforced from July 1, 2025, is a commendable initiative aimed at ensuring public safety, orderly urban movement, and smoother traffic flow. Particularly notable is the restriction on the entry of heavy trucks and buses during peak hours, a measure that reflects awareness of the town’s growing congestion and its impact on daily life.

However, while we appreciate the proactive steps taken by the administration, it is also necessary to temper our optimism with a dose of realism. This is not the first time that traffic regulations have been announced in Mokokchung. Similar initiatives in the past have been met with enthusiasm only to be quietly forgotten after a few days, with little to no enforcement or follow-up. Regulations, no matter how well-intentioned or clearly worded, are meaningless unless they are implemented with consistency and authority.

For this effort to succeed, it is not enough to expect the authorities alone to bear the burden. Public cooperation is indispensable. Residents must begin to see traffic discipline not as an imposed inconvenience, but as a shared responsibility. There is a clear need for sustained awareness campaigns alongside enforcement—people must be educated about why these rules matter, and how individual behavior contributes to the larger good.

Additionally, traffic etiquette among vehicle owners leaves much to be desired. Haphazard parking, disregard for right of way, and the misuse of modified silencers or tinted windows are still too common. These behaviors exacerbate congestion and erode respect for the rule of law. The removal of off-road and abandoned vehicles is also a welcome move—but only if it is actually carried out.

The truck regulation, while welcome, also highlights a deeper issue. Congestion in Mokokchung is not solely due to heavy vehicles. Even in their absence, narrow roads, unregulated parking, and unplanned urban growth continue to create bottlenecks. A long-term urban traffic management plan is needed—one that considers infrastructure upgrades, better public transport, and smarter street design.

Let us hope this time the regulations are not merely announced, but enforced—and that the public too rises to the occasion with the cooperation, awareness, and discipline necessary for lasting change.

MT