The Hospital Road is one of the main roads in Mokokchung town in general and the most important road in the district when it comes to the healthcare sector. The fact that it is the road that leads to the Dr. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital is reason enough to suggest that it remains in top-notch condition throughout the year. Unfortunately, that is not the case. As of today, the condition of the Hospital Road is the worst among the major roads in the town where it is practically impossible to ply small vehicles in some stretches of the road. Imagine a critically injured person or a terminally ill patient or a mother in labor traveling on that road.
It is said that the last time it was ‘repaired’ by the government was about 15 long years ago. Notably, many volunteers including concerned individuals and groups have been reported to have repaired the road from time to time. Local media outlets including this newspaper have on multiple occasions raised the issue. All right-thinking citizens would agree that this particular road must be repaired immediately. Even the authorities concerned would agree. Yet, it’s amazing how this road has been left unattended all these years by the government. It defies all logic. It’s insane. Ridiculous.
Could it be that the people of Mokokchung deserve such a deplorable hospital road? If the indifferent attitude of the citizens and their silence is to be measured, the answer could very well be a yes. The pathetic condition of the Hospital Road is the manifestation of the widespread existence of passivity and apathy among the citizens. Good roads, especially that of a hospital, are a basic need. Good roads are a fundamental right of citizens under Article 21 of the Constitution. It forms a part of the right to life. And we are talking about a hospital road here! Yet, the people of Mokokchung have not been able to claim their right. Maybe there is a dearth of leadership or maybe they simply don’t care about their rights. A society that is not bothered when rights are denied deserves not only bad roads but bad governance too.
Fortunately, the news of the youth associations of Penli Ward, Majakong Ward, Lijaba Lijen Ward and Artang Ward submitting a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, demanding that the road be repaired immediately, has come as a soothing breeze, a glimmer of hope that there are still some people in Mokokchung who have the guts to voice out for their rights! Now that they have voiced out, it is expected of them to go the distance until their demand comes to fruition and prove that not all citizens of Mokokchung have been neutered after all. It takes brains and brawn to make things work. Hopefully, when the road is finally made, it will not be a mere cosmetic coating.
To the four youth associations – prove your worth because Mokokchung is looking up to you. And, to the government – yes, repair the road.