Responding to the report of truck drivers refusing to enter Nagaland via the NH 702D in protest against the dilapidated road condition, as was published in this newspaper on September 8, the chief project manager of the firm engaged in the ongoing construction works of the highway, Ranjit Kumar Sahu, said that the main contributing factor in the damage of the ongoing construction of the road is “due to plying of overloaded vehicles carrying more than 40 MT of coal and sand during the whole monsoon.”
He also pointed out that the said road is “classified under CL-9 road by the Border Roads Organization which comes with strong prescription that vehicles carrying more than 7 MT should not be allowed to ply.”
Based on the above-mentioned observations, he said, “Anyone can come to the conclusion that, if those overloaded vehicles continue to ply during the monsoon period, there will be no visible improvement.” He also asked all the concerned parties to coordinate for better results.
“All responsible citizens should be aware of these factors and voice out against those defaulters. Let’s all join hands in keeping this lifeline pliable by adhering to all the seasonal notifications issued by the administration,” he concluded.
It may be recalled that the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung has on September 1 issued an order restricting movement of heavy vehicles “carrying coal and others of 40 tonnes and above load” in view of extensive road damage between Mariani-Dessai at KM 25.05 due to heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the truck drivers on strike are reported to have decided on Thursday evening to write a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung highlighting their grievances. According to Biki Ali, one of the drivers who have called for an indefinite strike refusing to enter Nagaland via NH 702D, said they have also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat earlier in the day.
The protesting drivers as reported by this newspaper had demanded that even if the authorities could not pave a blacktopped road, they should at least repair the road with boulders and gravel to make it pliable.
It has also been learnt that commercial vehicles transporting essential commodities are now taking the Mokokchung-Amguri road (NH-02) as an alternative route. A Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) official also confirmed that traders are transporting the essential commodities, including perishable items, to Mokokchung through the Amguri road.