UKHRUL, August 26, 2026: The worsening condition of roads in Ukhrul has become a serious concern for students, pedestrians and local residents, with several stretches around educational institutions turning muddy, slippery and difficult to navigate, particularly during the monsoon season.
The problem has been especially felt by students of St. Joseph College, Ukhrul, who say the poor road conditions are affecting their daily commute, attendance and overall learning experience.
Students travelling through the Mission Compound towards St. Joseph College have highlighted the severely deteriorated condition of the road, saying that several stretches are barely suitable for pedestrians. During rainfall, the road becomes muddy and slippery, while damaged surfaces, potholes and soil erosion make walking and travelling increasingly difficult.
For many students who walk to college, the journey has become a daily struggle.
Vivon Ramror, a Bachelor of Social Work student at St. Joseph College, said the condition of the roads has caused repeated difficulties for students travelling between their homes and the college.
She said students are often delayed on their way to college and arrive with muddy uniforms and footwear. The condition of the road, She added, sometimes prevents students from reaching college on time and affects their ability to attend classes properly.
Vivon appealed to the concerned authorities to take immediate measures to improve the roads and address the difficulties faced by students.
Another student, Kahoryui Awungshi, a fourth-year Bachelor’s student from the Department of History, described the road condition as a major problem for students in Ukhrul.
He said having proper roads is essential for creating a conducive environment for education, as students need safe and reliable access to their educational institutions.
According to Kahoryo, the problem becomes particularly severe during the rainy season. Students often lose the motivation to attend college when roads become difficult to access, resulting in missed classes and important college activities.
Kahoryo, who resides at Viewland Zone 1, said that during rainy days he often travels by taxi up to the Mission Ground and then has to continue the remaining distance on foot. Even the relatively short walking stretch, he said, becomes difficult because of the poor road condition.
Standhope Shimray, a fourth-semester Political Science student at St. Joseph College, said his concerns are based on nearly six years of experience as a student in the college campus.
Standhope said he wanted to speak not only for himself but also for students across Ukhrul District who face similar problems while travelling to schools and colleges.
During the rainy season, he said, roads become extremely muddy and slippery, making it difficult and at times unsafe for students to walk. By the time they reach their classrooms, their shoes, uniforms and belongings are often covered in mud.
He said the situation is equally problematic during the dry season, when excessive dust from damaged roads settles on students’ uniforms and belongings and causes discomfort.
For students who cannot afford private vehicles and depend on walking, the poor roads create an additional burden. Even those travelling by vehicle face difficulties, as passing vehicles can splash mud onto pedestrians during the rainy season and raise clouds of dust during dry weather.
Standhope appealed to community leaders, elected representatives and concerned authorities to give serious attention to roads connecting schools and colleges.
He stressed that good roads should not be considered a luxury, but a basic requirement for ensuring access to education and supporting community development.
The situation has been further aggravated by recent heavy rainfall, which has caused significant damage to a stretch of road near St. Joseph College.
Portions of the road have collapsed after soil and loose materials were washed away, apparently due to severe soil erosion and weakening of the roadside embankment following prolonged rainfall.
The damaged section has become difficult for both pedestrians and vehicles to negotiate, raising concerns over road safety and connectivity for students and local residents.
The affected stretch is particularly concerning because it is used by students and residents travelling to and from nearby educational institutions.
The poor road condition is not only affecting college students but also younger schoolchildren and their parents.
A pedestrian, Kamla Kargi, wife of Dilip Chetri, said her three children regularly attend Alice Christian School and have to use the road every day.
She said her children are still young and often face difficulties crossing the damaged stretch while going to or returning from school.
According to her, the condition of the road creates particular concern for young children, especially during rainy weather when the surface becomes muddy and slippery.
The difficulties faced by schoolchildren highlight the wider impact of deteriorating road infrastructure on access to education in Ukhrul.
Meanwhile, Matthew Gonmei, Executive Engineer (in-charge), Public Works Department (PWD), said the department has already submitted a letter regarding the road problem to the higher authorities.
According to Gonmei, the proposed work will proceed once the government gives the necessary approval.
He also indicated that the contractor’s willingness to undertake the work is an issue in the absence of the required government approval.
The statement suggests that while the department has initiated the administrative process, actual restoration of the damaged road remains dependent on approval from the higher authorities.
The deteriorating road network has renewed calls for immediate intervention to improve connectivity to educational institutions in Ukhrul.
Students and residents say temporary repairs may provide short-term relief, but long-term measures are needed to prevent recurring damage. They have called for proper road maintenance, improved drainage, effective control of soil erosion and stronger roadside protection, particularly along vulnerable stretches.
For students, the issue goes beyond inconvenience. Poor roads can affect punctuality, attendance, safety, cleanliness and even their willingness to attend classes during periods of heavy rainfall.
The students have therefore urged the authorities, elected representatives and community leaders to treat road connectivity to schools and colleges as a priority.
As Ukhrul continues to face the impact of monsoon-related road damage, residents are hoping that the necessary approvals and repair works will be expedited before the condition deteriorates further.
For the students who walk these roads every day, a safe and reliable route to school or college is not simply an infrastructure demand, it is an essential part of their right to access education with safety and dignity.
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