Imphal: Residents of Greenland in Ukhrul town are fixing their own roads. Decades of government neglect left the gravel routes impassable during monsoon season. Ambulances cannot reach the sick. Students miss classes. Traders struggle to haul goods to market.
Led by retired headmaster Qr. Shinmi Shaiza, the community started a volunteer repair campaign in June. A simple chat on WhatsApp turned into a full-scale work crew. Neighbors pooled their own cash and sweat. They used iron rods and concrete to patch the damaged stretches near the Greenland Community Hall.
This marks the first time such an effort has happened here. Shaiza remains critical of the ongoing regional disparity. He noted the state consistently ignores rural and hill districts compared to valley areas. "This initiative is entirely funded by individual contributions from residents. To this day, no government funding has been extended for these roads. Yet people have come together because they understand the importance of maintaining the infrastructure we all depend on," Shaiza said.
The route serves as a main artery for thousands of daily commuters. It connects the Eastern Circular Road to the town center. While volunteers continue to work, they acknowledge the limits of DIY repairs. Proper infrastructure requires heavy investment and engineering. For now, the people of Greenland refuse to wait for help that never arrives.
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