Sikkim is one of the fastest developing states in the country. It is good to see development happening around us in every sector and we feel proud to say that we are a part of this development. The state government has been working hard to make Sikkim a developed state by the year 2015. But when it comes to roads, highways and avenues, a question comes to the mind; where is the development?

It is still the same as the roads are in pathetic condition. No doubt the government has been constructing roads in the remotest part of the state, and it is a great achievement. But the roads look really carved out. It is not maintained the way it’s supposed to be.

Recently the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned an amount of Rs 492.36 crores for the development of roads in the eight states including Sikkim for the current financial year. This divides up to an amount of approximately 61 crores for each state. Now the question arises where, when and how this fund is going to be utilized?

Additional Chief Engineer, Roads and Bridges (N/E), Mr. D.K. Rai informed that the fund given by the DoNER Ministry will be totally utilized on maintaining the roads of the state. Sikkim is one of the states where rainfall and thunder showers occur uncertainly, therefore the condition of the roads deplete due to this main factor. Natural calamities and heavy load vehicles also add to this depletion, added Mr. Rai.The above reasons given by Mr. Rai are understandable but it is the duty of the state government to keep a close check on the state highways and other roads linking with the state’s capital.

Smooth roads for atleast a kilometer is somewhat a rare sight. It doesn’t seem that the funds are being utilized properly. Every where you go all you experience is a rough road. Carpeting of the roads is supposed to be done timely but it’s done only when needed and with a heavy shower the carpeting is no more and we all are blessed with rough roads, again. Another major factor which adds to this roughness is the underground work which takes place along the parallel side of the roads. The workers dig the roads as instructed but after the task is over they fail to carpet them properly as it was before. Therefore the government should give clear and strict instructions to the concerned department who are in charge of the underground construction work to properly carpet the road to its former condition, after being dug up.

The state government plans of making the state as beautiful as Switzerland, but until and unless the condition of these pathetic roads and avenues are not upgraded, the dream doesn’t seem to become a reality. Roads are something which is not supposed to be worn out in a day. It is something which unites the villages with the towns, interlinks the towns with the capital, interconnects capital with the state and connects the state with rest of the country. Provision of proper road in the state is way to the road of development.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

Comment