A particular stretch of road at Airfield Colony, Wokha, is in a severely deteriorated condition, causing daily hardships for students, teachers, and the general public. Commuters find it extremely difficult to cross, especially during heavy rains. Due to the absence of a proper drainage system, the road gets waterlogged, with water rising up to knee level in the middle of the stretch.
This stretch forms part of the vital Wokha–Bokajan road, a lifeline for many travelers and nearby villages, yet it has been left neglected for over two decades.
According to Airfield Colony Chairman, Nzio Mozhui, the colony council, along with Ward 3 Councillor, W Myingthungo Kikon, took the initiative of filling the damaged stretch with 12 truckloads of boulders. However, due to the absence of a proper drainage system, waterlogging continues, disrupting public movement every day.
The flooded water cannot drain downhill, as there are houses below the road that risk flooding and damage to the houses if the water is redirected, creating inconvenience for the residents. On the other side, constructing a drainage system is also problematic due to the risk of landslides from soil disturbance.
Mozhui added that he had approached the concerned department and district administration, but no positive action has been step up so far.
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Students commuting by foot face the brunt of the situation on a daily basis. Many are forced to remove their shoes to walk through the water, while others are carried by their parents, as not every student travels by vehicle. Students lament that during heavy rains, the area is completely submerged by water, making it nearly impossible to cross. And when vehicles pass, water splashes on them, leaving them to attend classes in dirty uniforms or return home in dirty dress.
Parents, teachers, and community members expressed frustration over the extra effort required daily to help students cross the road. Vehicle owners who use the road also voiced their grievances, stating that their vehicles get dirty as water reaches tire level, making the road almost invisible beneath the flooded stretch. Some generous vehicle owners have been offering students lifts to ease their struggles.
As long as nothing concrete is done, this road will remain the same and continue to burden the public, said one concerned vehicle owner.
Councillor, W Myingthungo Kikon stated that, despite repeated efforts to maintain the road, the lack of a drainage system has made waterlogging an ongoing issue. He recalled that the situation worsened over the years as new houses were constructed along the stretch, blocking natural water passages and further complicating drainage system.
Despite repeated requests, no action plan has been initiated by the concerned department or district administration to address this issue,” Kikon said. He urged the authorities to take up the matter urgently and devise a solution that would benefit the general public.
Another concerned citizen and local leader added that while the colony council, councillor, and residents have done their best, including filling the road with boulders, they cannot solve the larger problem without government intervention.
“If there is any issue of land encroachment or technical challenges, the district administration must step in. It is now the duty of the concerned department and the district administration to urgently find a practical solution that does not harm anyone’s property but ensures the welfare of students, parents, and the public at large,” he said.
