The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has raised urgent concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of National Highway 2 (NH-2) Kohima-Mao Road. In a representation addressed to the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, the organization highlighted the “long-standing grievances of the general public regarding NH-2’s deplorable condition” within Southern Angami’s jurisdiction.
The letter details how this vital national highway, constructed during pre-independence times, remains “an intermediate road perilously unfit for modern transportation needs.” SAYO described the condition of NH-2 as “alarming,” with “deteriorated road surfaces rendering it impassable for all vehicles” and “aging bridges and culverts on the verge of collapse.”
The road is critical for connecting Southern Angamis with neighboring districts of Nagaland and Manipur. However, the organization noted that “this critical artery remains neglected.” The area comprises 13 villages with a population of 62,378, including 48 institutions, boasting the highest number of students in Kohima District. The poor road conditions have “severely hampered students, office goers, farmers, and ambulance services,” putting lives at risk.
“Medical patients and pregnant women often fail to reach hospitals on time,” the letter states, leading to “delayed medical attention, increased risk of maternal and infant mortality, disruption of education, economic hardship, and health hazards” such as new dust-borne diseases along the highway.
Despite previous appeals made on February 17, 2022, October 14, 2023, and May 30, 2024, SAYO claims that “no concern had been shown by the Ministry of MoRTH and the NHIDCL.” After a recent discussion in the State Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister informed that a Fact-Finding Technical Team was formed on June 15, 2024. However, SAYO criticized the team for failing to submit their reports, stating that “the FFT could not submit their reports/findings to the concerned authority till today,” rendering their efforts “meaningless.”
The organization expressed that the lack of accountability from the Ministry of MoRTH and NHIDCL undermines the welfare state concept enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They urged 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.”
SAYO warned that “failure to act within the stipulated period” would compel them to take severe measures, including holding the MoRTH, NHIDCL, and contractors accountable for “the losses incurred to our people due to their negligence.” Additionally, they threatened to “impose a ban on more than 3-axle wheelers from plying on NH-2 until necessary upgrades are completed.”