A Road Everyone Uses, But No One Fixes

Residents, students and taxi drivers endure daily struggle on Zunheboto’s College Road

Tokavi K Zhimo
Zunheboto | August 11

A vital stretch of road connecting Zunheboto Government College to the main centre point at Alahuto Colony Junction has become a symbol of neglect, frustration, and day-to-day suffering for a wide section of the population. What should be an essential artery for transportation has instead deteriorated into a waterlogged, pothole-filled mess, burdening students, faculty, residents, local businesses, pedestrians, and taxi drivers alike.

This route is not just the access point to the only government arts college in the district — it is also the daily path for hundreds of people from nearby colonies, commuting to schools, offices, markets, churches, hospitals, and beyond.

“It’s not just the college students' road, it's everyone's road. From school children to elderly residents, we all walk or drive through this nightmare every day. The road has been crying for help for years, but no one listens,” said one college student.

Another college students’ leader remarked, “The College Road is in dire need of immediate maintenance. Despite regular maintenance of our buses, they frequently get damaged due to the poor road conditions. Furthermore, the roads have become impassable for students, with numerous potholes and muddy pavement. In fact, the condition has deteriorated to the point where College Road resembles a fishery pond.”

“Zunheboto Government College road is honestly in such bad shape. Full of potholes, muddy water everywhere, and not even a single plain stretch,” added a college alumni. “Cars splash water on students’ while passing, and those big stones and deep holes can literally damage our college buses. I really feel sorry for our old buses and students’ going through this daily. Students’ and faculty deserve safe, accessible road conditions, not potholes and muddy roads. This problem isn’t just a matter of convenience, it’s about dignity and development for our sole college present in our district.”

A college student stressed, “Due to the improper drainage and poor road condition in the area a lot of people face a very big problem. When it starts to rain the water logging and muddy road condition is so pathetic.”

“The road to Zunheboto govt college is full of potholes ranging from small to large cracks causing hazardous driving conditions, increasing the risks of accidents and most importantly causing discomfort to students who use sidewalks,” emphasized one female college student.

Another student, who resides near the college, said, “The road leading to the college is in a terrible condition. It is full of potholes filled with muddy stagnant water. Sometimes we can't even see where the hole is because it's covered with water. Walking through it becomes very risky. It's not just uncomfortable, it's also unsafe.”

“For students like me, we have to cross this road carefully everyday looking left and right because vehicles come suddenly,” the student continued. “Sometimes we have to run quickly to avoid cars or else we get splashed with mud all over our uniforms. Sometimes, before reaching college, I have to stop at someone's house to clean the mud. The road is also very slippery; we might even slip and fall below. These days even if we polish our shoes it's useless. By the time we reach college, that mud makes them look like we never touched them. No point in polishing, the road gives its own natural polish.”

As the rainy season hits full swing, the already poor condition of the road has turned catastrophic. Large potholes have deepened, and with little to no proper drainage, rainwater collects into stagnant pools, covering the entire surface. Vehicles are forced to maneuver slowly and dangerously, while pedestrians often wade through ankle-deep water and slippery mud.

“I slipped while carrying groceries home last week. My son twisted his ankle last month on the same road,” said a concerned parent from the area. “When it rains, we’re basically stranded. It’s that bad.”

Taxi drivers plying the route report significant losses — in both maintenance and passenger numbers. While they give concessions to students in uniform, most say it is far from enough to cover the damage to their vehicles.

“We have to replace suspension parts every two months. My tire got burst twice this year. And still, the fare is the same,” said a local taxi driver. “We don’t want to say no to passengers, but driving on this road is like gambling with your vehicle.”

Small shops along the route say foot traffic drops sharply on rainy days, when the road becomes almost impassable. For college students — a major commuter group — the result is frequent late arrivals or missed classes.

“It’s not just a road, it's our livelihood, our access to education, and our right to dignity,” said a resident living near the college.

Frustration is mounting over temporary patchwork repairs that wash away each monsoon season. Residents now demand a complete overhaul with proper surfacing, drainage, and long-term upkeep.

“We’re not asking for a four-lane highway. We just want a usable road that doesn't destroy our vehicles or risk our lives,” said one private employee.