Aizawl: Mizoram Oil Tanker Drivers’ Association (MOTDA) has announced that it will cease operations from Saturday due to the severely damaged condition of the national highway connecting the state with Assam.
This halt in services is expected to significantly impact supplies to Mizoram, which relies heavily on this route.
A statement issued by MOTDA on Friday said that the Sairang-Kawnpui stretch of the national highway is so “badly damaged that it is no longer safe for oil tankers to ply on it”
“The MOTDA decides not to ply on the national highway starting from July 19 till it is repaired for trucks to travel. We apologise to the public for any inconvenience that will be caused by the strike,” the statement said.
NH-306, which includes the affected Sairang-Kawnpui sector (also referred to as NH-6), serves as Mizoram’s vital supply line, with all essential goods entering the state via this road from Silchar, Assam, to the capital, Aizawl.
The Sairang-Kawnpui sector of NH-6, which was worst affected by the monsoon, was recently taken over by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) from the state government.
NHIDCL executive director (P) Virender Kumar Jakhar said that the repairing work of the stretch began on July 10 and is ongoing. He noted that heavy traffic and persistent rainfall have hindered the progress of the repairs.
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The dilapidated state of NH-6/306 has been a growing concern. The Mizoram Truck Drivers Association (MTDA) recently filed a PIL at the Aizawl bench of the Gauhati High Court over the dilapidated condition of NH-6/306.
