Restrictions on heavy vehicles on NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 28 2019:
Heavy vehicle will be prohibited from going along National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) from 10.30 pm to 5.30 am everyday for a total of 3 months, in light of the road construction work in between the stretch from Patkai bridge to Kukidilong, Nagaland.
However, as the said time period is prime time for movement of heavy vehicles like POL trucks, LPG trucks, FCI trucks as well as other goods laden vehicles, the prohibition is bound to immensely affect the import of LPG, POL and rice in the State.
Even though there is no official intimation from the Department concerned or the DC regarding the day from which the prohibition will start, DC Dimapur (Nagaland) had already sent a notification to Commissioner of Police Nagaland, on February 21 regarding the construction of the road and the Commissioner of Police had also relayed similar notice to DCP Dimapur.
If the prohibition comes into effect, the trucks carrying POL, LPG, rice and other essential commodities will have to take the National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) route.
This will definitely pose another dilemma as constant movement of heavy vehicles along Jiribam route for three months will put heavy strain on the road and the bridges along the said route, particularly Makru bridge which has constantly broken down in the past.
On the other hand, POL and LPG trucks will be the most impacted by the prohibition and the subsequent detour along Imphal-Jiribam route.
The total number of IOCL trucks bringing POL to Malom Oil Depot is around 580 while the total number of LPG trucks is 300.An LPG or a POL truck usually makes around 3 trips per month along Imphal-Dimapur road.
However, if the route is shifted along Imphal-Jiribam route, the number of trips will be reduced drastically which will in turn lead to many inconveniences when it comes to availability of POL and LPG products.