PEOPLE IN UKHRUL have long been struggling with poor road conditions. Every commuter in Ukhrul faces difficulties because of damaged roads, potholes, and poor drainage. Bad roads have become one of the biggest challenges for daily life in Ukhrul. Travelling even short distances takes a long time and often becomes unsafe. From my survey, I learnt that 90 per cent of the local people in Ukhrul town want immediate improvement of roads. Seventy per cent of drivers said that good infrastructure is highly important for them to work smoothly. Sixty per cent of students and young people also shared that the bad roads make it hard to reach school or college on time and affect their safety. These responses show how deeply this issue affects everyone in the community.
Opinion NH-201(A): When a Road Becomes a Mirror of Our Development
During my study for a field project, I tried to understand the reasons behind the bad condition of roads. I found that unplanned urbanisation has put pressure on the existing roads and there is a lack of proper maintenance. Heavy rainfall and extreme weather have also worsened the situation. Many people believe that poor governance and weak accountability lead to corruption and misuse of funds. Insufficient funding and the lack of modern technology have further reduced the quality and durability of the roads. Without careful planning and honest work, new roads get damaged soon after construction.
Most people I spoke to said that the government should take greater responsibility to ensure strong and well-maintained, all-season roads. They also said that we need honest and active leaders who can monitor projects properly and make sure that funds are used correctly. People suggested that the Autonomous District Council and local MLAs should work together to check how road projects are being carried out. Some also said that local volunteers, youth groups, and community leaders can help in small maintenance activities such as cleaning drains and clearing waste. One of the participants said, “Good roads are not just government projects; they are also part of our responsibility as citizens.”
As a student, I could see that bad roads directly affect my daily life and that of many others. Many of us walk long distances to schools and colleges because vehicles cannot move smoothly through muddy and broken roads. When I compare Ukhrul’s road conditions to those in states like Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Darjeeling, I can clearly see that we still have a long way to go. I feel that the government should make a proper five-year plan for road development and review it every year to make sure progress is happening.
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During my survey, people also shared several ideas to improve the roads. They said that blacktopping should be done in stages, starting from the main routes. Community participation is important to keep roads clean and drains open. Central schemes like the MGNREGS, the PMGSY, and the NHDP should be used properly for building and repairing roads. The government should hire good contractors and engineers through transparent processes, and proper drainage systems must be built to prevent damage during the rainy season. NGOs and youth groups can also help by creating awareness and organising community workdays to take care of roads.
This field project taught me that fixing poor roads is not only the government’s job but also a shared duty of every citizen. The government needs to plan and act sincerely, but we too must take care of our surroundings with civic sense and responsibility. Roads are important for development, education, and the economy. If we work together with honesty and unity, Ukhrul can have not only better roads but also a brighter and safer future for everyone.
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(The views expressed are personal. The author is a BA first-semester student of Political Science at St. Joseph’s College, Ukhrul, Manipur. This article is based on field data collected as a part of the Skill Enhancement Course “Public Opinion and Survey Research.” He can be reached at abrahampangnui@gmail.com)
Note from the author: During my field project for the Skill Enhancement Course titled “Public Opinion and Survey Research,” I decided to study the problem and listen to the voices of the people in our town. I feel that it is my responsibility as a student and an educated youth to share my research and findings in the public domain in the larger public interest.)