MOKOKCHUNG — An indefinite suspension of commercial truck operations in Mokokchung, Zunheboto, and Tuensang districts has been ongoing for almost two weeks.
The strike was initiated by the Truck Owners' Union on July 29, to protest the deplorable condition of National Highway 702D (Mokokchung-Mariani Road) and NH 2 (Mokokchung-Amguri Road).
With the Truck Owners' Union demanding urgent repairs by Aug. 10, a joint inspection was carried out on both highways by the Ao Senden, AKM, Mokokchung District Truck Owners’ Association, district administration, and the PWD (NH) Mokokchung, to assess the ongoing maintenance work.
On the NH 2, the team identified critical stretches in need of immediate attention, particularly between the New Reserve Church and Mongya Prayer Centre, undertaken by the JKM firm.
They observed that mud accumulation in two sectors within this stretch was hindering vehicle movement, requiring immediate clearing, chipping, and rolling. The contractor firm assured the inspection team that these necessary repairs would be completed by Sunday.
Further along the highway, at the 195-500 km section (Chuchuyimlang to Tuli), managed by KKB Rülho firm, the team observed more than five stretches at various points of the road that were ‘non-motorable’ especially in rainy conditions.
The Junior Engineer from the PWD (NH) acknowledged that if the work had been done before the monsoon, the road conditions would have been better.
When questioned about the project's slow progress, given its announcement two years prior, firm project coordinator Akhum Sangtam stated that only 54% of the work had been completed thus far, despite a targeted completion date of March 2025.
He assured the inspection team that efforts would be expedited to meet the scheduled deadline, while attributing the delays to challenges in sourcing boulders and issues with mobile crushers. He also revealed that a project manager had been dismissed due to ineffective management.
However, civil society representatives expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace and the superficial work done for the sake of the inspection.
“We are not demanding full blacktopping; we expect the road to be made motorable”, the representatives said, while urging the firm in-charge to expedite the work.
The project coordinator of the firm also acknowledged the poor condition of the road and requested more time for repairs.
An official from the PWD (NH) requested an additional two days to make the road motorable and the truck owners responded that they would consider lifting the bandh if the repairs were completed by Aug. 12.
With the pathetic condition of NH 702D being the primary trigger for the ongoing strike, Affluent Enterprise, responsible for short-term maintenance, had agreed to complete pothole repairs by Aug. 10.
However, the inspection team expressed discontent, stating that only 50 per cent of the work on NH 702D has been completed.
Contractor Ghunavi Aye cited a shortage of boulders and machinery as reasons for the delay. While he requested an additional week for repairs, this proposal was met with resistance from civil society groups due to the hardship faced by the public and the negative economic impact on the three districts.
Civil society groups argued that waiting another week would be too much of a burden for the public, who are facing untold hardships and, besides, negative economic impact in the entire three districts because of the ongoing strike.
In a bid to reach a compromise, the inspection team gave Affluent Enterprise a 72-hour ultimatum-- repair the critical points by Tuesday, Aug. 13. If the road is deemed motorable by then, the truck owners agreed to consider lifting the bandh by Tuesday evening.
“We recognise the contractor's efforts and progress,” said a truck union representative. “However, the public's needs cannot be ignored. If they honour their commitment to make the road motorable within these 72 hours, our trucks will be back on the road by Tuesday evening.”