Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has set a 15-day deadline for authorities to restore and upgrade NH-2 (Kohima-Mao).
In a representation to deputy chief minister TR Zeliang, who is also in charge of National Highways, SAYO president Metekhrielie Mejura and general secretary Metevizo Sophie urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore NH-2 within 15 days and initiate upgradation work to a full-fledged two-lane road, replacing or renovating aging bridges and culverts.
They warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would force them to take recourse to severe measures such as holding the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the contractor and sub-contractors responsible and liable for the losses incurred to the people due to their negligence. Furthermore,
They also threatened to impose a ban of more than three-axle vehicles from plying on NH-2 until necessary upgrades were completed.
Highlighting the long-standing grievances of the general public regarding NH-2 deplorable condition within Southern Angami’s jurisdiction, they said the vital national highway constructed during pre-independence times remained an intermediate road perilously unfit for modern transportation needs.
They claimed that the condition of NH-2/A-1 was alarming, with deteriorated road surfaces rendering it impassable for all vehicles, with aging bridges and culverts on the verge of collapsing, and inadequate infrastructure posing significant risks to commuters.
Despite its strategic importance, connecting Southern Angamis, neighbouring districts of Nagaland and Manipur, they lamented that this critical arterial road remained neglected.
They said the area comprised of 13 villages with a population of 62,378, 48 institutions, and the highest number of students in Kohima district. However, they pointed out that the poor road condition had severely hampered students, office goers, farmers and ambulance services, with patients and pregnant women often failing to reach hospitals on time, putting their lives at risk.
They said this had resulted in delayed medical attention, increased risk of maternal and infant mortalities, disruption of education, economic hardships and hazardous health impact.
Despite appeals on February 17, 2022, October 14, 2023, and May 30, 2024, the duo regretted that no concern had been shown by MoRTH and NHIDCL.
After legislators Kevipodi Sophie and Kropol Vitsu raised this issue in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, they mentioned that the deputy chief minister informed them that a Fact-Finding Technical Team (FFTT) was formed on June 15, 2024 and assured that basing on the reports of FFTT, the government would respond. However, they pointed out that the FFT did not submit its report/findings to the authority concerned till today and hence served no purpose.
They said lack of accountability and responsibility from MoRTH and NHIDCL undermined the welfare state concept enshrined in the Constitution of India.