The prolonged disruption of National Highway-2 at Phesama village has left students and other commuters facing higher transportation costs, with the Kohima District Congress Committee (KDCC) claiming that students are spending around Rs 500 for a round trip by taxi.
The highway stretch has remained cut off since June following a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall and adverse weather conditions, the KDCC said in a statement.
According to the KDCC, students travelling from Kohima to educational institutions in the area have been particularly affected. With the main route unusable, they have had to rely on taxis, while the alternate route is too steep and difficult for heavy vehicles, including college and private buses.
The Congress committee said the recurring taxi expense was placing a financial burden on families and could also affect students’ attendance and academic progress.
It said the Phesama road is an important link for villages in Southern Angami and towards Manipur, with the disruption also affecting transportation, healthcare, trade and livelihoods.
The KDCC urged the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to expedite restoration work and make the highway motorable.
It also appealed to the State Government and Deputy Chief Minister in charge of National Highways to provide interim transportation support to affected students through subsidised transport or government pool vehicles until normal connectivity is restored.
The KDCC said there had been no visible physical progress on restoration despite efforts by the Phesama Village Council, Southern Angami Public Organisation and local MLAs to press for early restoration.
