Truckers decry bad roads; demand immediate action

Three major transport unions- Kiphire District Commercial Vehicle Union (KDCVU), Meluri District Truck Union (MDTU), and Phek District Truck Union (PDTU) at joint meeting on October 11- urged the state government to immediately prioritize the repair and maintenance of the deteriorating road networks connecting Phek, Meluri, and Kiphire districts.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting Thilitsurr (president KDCVU), Khosheta Rhakho (president PDTU), and Yangkhong Sangtam (president MDTU) highlighted the hazardous condition of the routes, citing frequent landslides, rockfalls, and mudslides that pose serious risks to commuters and transporters.
They noted that stretches between Chakhabama and Pfutsero have become treacherous, while the section from Losami to Lanye was lined with dangerously unstable rocks. In Meluri area, heavy mudslides and falling debris continue to obstruct traffic, while the Akhegwo-Kiphire segment has reportedly deteriorated to a critical state. They warned that repeated landslides often strand truckers for days or even weeks, disrupting the supply chain of essential goods such as food and medicine. They emphasized that the worsening road conditions are not only a matter of convenience but one of public safety and economic stability.
Calling for decisive government action, the unions demanded a dedicated plan for road restoration and the establishment of standby machinery to promptly clear blockages. They reminded the authorities that maintaining safe and functional roadways is a fundamental responsibility of the government – one that directly affects the well-being and livelihoods of its citizens.