Kohima roads in deplorable state; public blame negligence

The deplorable state of Kohima’s roads has once again come under sharp criticism, with public blaming gross negligence, corruption and institutional incompetence for the crisis.
Residents said the ongoing monsoon had only exposed years of neglect, turning the “Smart City” tag a hollow slogan masking decay and failure.”
Daily commuters lamented that their vehicles were being damaged and journeys turned perilous, while repeated complaints continued to be met with indifference from authorities.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, a concerned resident, who wished to be anonymous, said the road condition was not merely a result of poor planning but a profound dereliction of duty. He added that the issue reflected systemic corruption and societal complacency. “We have come to accept open corruption. It is no longer seen as a problem,” he said.
He also cited the absence of a strong opposition and public apathy as reasons the problem had persisted. “Nothing will change if we keep selling our votes during elections,” he added.
For daily commuters, the impact is severe. A taxi driver, whose Alto was damaged by a pothole near D-Block, said, “The potholes are so deep they are damaging our vehicles.” Another driver expressed frustration over a blocked-off area in the town centre, pointing to the department’s delay in repairing even a small section. “This cannot be blamed on the rain; we must look at the quality of the work,” he said.
Other residents demanded urgent, district-wide repair works. “It’s not just one colony or ward; the entire Kohima district needs attention. The condition is deplorable, and it is unclear whether the government or the contractors are to blame,” a commuter remarked.
They pointed out that the recently repaired Billy Graham road leading to the Secretariat was already in ruins, NH-29 remained cut off, and the road towards the Northern Angami (Meriema) area was on the verge of collapse.
Calling the situation a full-blown crisis crippling connectivity and safety, a resident of Kohima said it was time for strict accountability and effective monitoring instead of shifting blame.