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DIMAPUR — The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has issued a 15-day deadline to restore National Highway 2, connecting Kohima with Mao, and initiate works to upgrade the road.
In a letter addressed to Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who is also in charge of National Highways, the youth organisation warned of severe consequences in the event of failure to meet the demand.
“NH-2/A-1 condition is alarming, with deteriorated road surfaces rendering it impassable for all vehicles, ageing bridges and culverts on the verge of collapse, and inadequate infrastructure posing significant risks to commuters' safety. Despite its strategic importance, connecting Southern Angamis, neighbouring districts of Nagaland and Manipur, this critical artery remains neglected.
“Our area comprises of 13 villages with a population of 62,378, and 48 institutions, boasting the highest number of students in Kohima district. The poor road condition have severely hampered students, office goers, farmers and ambulance services, including medical patients and pregnant women who often fail to reach hospitals on time, putting their lives at risk. This resulted in delayed medical attention, increased risk of maternal and infant mortality, disruption of education, economic hardship and health hazardous impact on human as people on the highway stretch are experiencing effected new dust borne diseases,” the letter read.
It alleged that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) as well as the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) have displayed no concern towards the people’s suffering despite repeated appeals in the past.
Even the Fact-Finding Technical Team was formed on June 15 this year by the state government has failed to submit its findings to the authority concerned till date, it stated.
“The lack of accountability and responsibility from MoRTH and the office of the NHIDCL undermine the welfare state concept enshrined in the Indian Constitution. We urge the authority to take 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.
“Failure to act within the stipulated period, in constraint the SAYO shall recourse to take severe measures such as holding the MoRTH, the NHIDCL, the Fortune Company, the contractor and the sub-contractors responsible and liable for the losses incurred to our people due to their negligence. Furthermore, we shall even impose ban of more than 3-axle wheelers from plying on NH-2 until necessary upgrades are completed,” it warned.