Mnp drivers’ body seeks early repair of NH-2 at Phesama

Seeking completion of the ongoing repairing works on Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-2 at Phesama in Nagaland at the earliest, a Manipur based drivers’ body on Monday sought additional attention to be given by the pertinent authorities.
The Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-2 remains cut off at Phesama, Nagaland since June 1 due to a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall. The landslide damaged a 50-meter stretch of highway. The damaged section is currently impassable, cutting off the crucial route connecting Nagaland and Manipur. This disruption is affecting the transportation of essential goods and supplies to Imphal. A temporary diversion road is in place, but it is only suitable for light vehicles.
“The ongoing repairing works in the affected area is unlikely to be completed before the end of this rainy season,” said general secretary Ksh Sanjay of Manipur Drivers’ Association (MDA). Addressing a press conference at its office in Imphal, the MDA general secretary sought additional attention from the Manipur government to approach the Nagaland government to take prompt action to expedite the ongoing road repairing works.
He said that the condition of the highway at Phesama has worsened significantly due to heavy rain in the last few days.
The condition of the bypass road that is currently used to cross the affected highway has also been worsened due to heavy traffic. The movement of many trucks loaded above the recommended weight further deteriorated the road, he said.
The bypass road is currently restricted trucks with more than 12 tons of load. However, many trucks heavier than the restricted weight often violated the restriction, he alleged.
The general secretary drew the attention of the concerned authorities to monitor the movement of such overloaded trucks while cautioning that if the bypass road is also cut off, it will severely affect the shipping of Imphal-bound essential commodities.
He claimed that the bypass road was made accessible by a joint effort of the drivers’ bodies in Manipur and Nagaland. Apart from Dimapur and Kohima based driver’s bodies, Manipur based bodies like Senapati Truck Owners’ Association, Senapati District Truck Drivers’ Union and Manipur Gorkha Motor Workers’ Welfare Union etc. had taken main roles in making the bypass road accessible.
From the very start of the construction of the bypass road, the drivers’ bodies have been making appeals to the drivers not to carry loads exiting the recommended limit, he said.
On the other hand, the MDA general secretary expressed strong dissatisfaction over the alleged silence on the part of the government of Manipur, particularly the state Governor and chief secretary, despite the highway remaining cut off for nearly a month.
Manipur is currently under President’s Rule with the Governor as the head of the state administration. The MDA alleged that despite the long disturbance in the shipping of essential commodities into the state, none of the higher authorities of the state government said a word.
He drew the attention of the state Governor and the chief secretary to collaborate with Nagaland government in expediting the road repairing works.
In the meantime, fresh mudslides reported at Lower Phaibung have blocked vehicles from plying along Ukhrul-Tadubi section of NH-102A.
Reports said that a mudslide has completely blocked the highway and the diversion road through the village is not feasible to travel during the rainy season.
Earlier, a rock-slide at Tungjoy village in Senapati district in early June had also completely cut off the Ukhrul-Tadubi road.