Aizawl: A joint delegation of four organisations has met Virendra Kumar Jakhar, Executive Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), at his Aizawl office to raise concerns over the rapidly deteriorating condition of the Sairang to Kawnpui sector of the National Highway NH-6/306.
The delegation comprising the Mizoram Transformation Movement (MTM), Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ), Mizoram First (MF), and the Citizens Alliance for Truth and Social Justice (CATAJ) met Jakhar on Thursday.
NH-306 is the lifeline of Mizoram, linking the state with Assam. A portion of the highway is called NH-6. All supplies that come from other states reach Mizoram through this highway.
The delegation voiced alarm over the hazardous state of the road, which has resulted in frequent vehicle overturning incidents and recurring traffic blockages.
These issues, they said, are severely affecting transportation, daily commuting, and overall connectivity in Mizoram.
CESJ working chairman Vanramchhuangi claimed that Jakhar acknowledged the severity of the situation and informed the delegation about ongoing and planned corrective measures.
Jakhar informed the delegation that Khamrang-Kawnpui and Bilkhawthlir-Kolasib sectors on the Sairang-Vairengte route are currently under Mizoram PWD, and the process of handing them over to the NHIDCL is on.
He said NHIDCL is committed to resolving the matter as swiftly as possible. However, he noted that black-topping and major roadwork cannot proceed during the monsoon season due to adverse weather conditions.
One of the key hurdles, he added, was the delay in tree felling, which is a necessary step before construction could begin.
Although forest clearance has already been granted, the tree felling operation is under the jurisdiction of the Mizoram Forest Department and has yet to be initiated.
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The Sairang-Kawnpui sector has been badly damaged by rains, making trucks and other heavy vehicles unable to ply.
Recently, a trucker association repaired the Sairang-Kawnpui stretch that prevented oil tankers and trucks laden with essential items from plying on that portion.
