Sunk road not ready for heavy vehicles ; Jessami-Ukhrul road suggested
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 16 2013: A high-level meeting convened by Nagaland Works and Housing Minister Azo Nienu has suggested Kohima-Jessami-Ukhrul road for heavy vehicles transporting essential goods to Manipur until the sunken portion of NH-2 near Kohima is repaired.

According to an official who took part in the meeting, the meeting noted that light vehicles have been taking the bypass after a section of Imphal-Dimapur highway caved in near Heritage village, Kohima.

The meeting decided to close the bypass to heavy vehicles.

The meeting deliberated on the possible routes for heavy vehicles heading for Imphal and it ultimately decided on Kohima-Jessami-Ukhrul road for their journey to Imphal.

The meeting also discussed about repairing the depressed portion of the highway anew.

Jessami-Ukhrul road

Among others, the meeting was attended by the Kohima DC, GREF (Border Roads) Chief Engineer, Southern Angami Youth Organisation, local village councils and other leaders.

As repairing the depressed portion would require acquisition of land from private parties, the meeting decided to conduct a joint survey including participants of the particular meeting.

The joint survey would begin from 10 am tomorrow and payment of land compensation would be discussed after completing the survey.

Repairing the depressed portion would require some time, said the official.

Even as BRTF intimated IOC's Imphal depot that stranded TTs and LPG bullets may take Kohima-Chakabama-Zakhama road for their onward journey to Imphal, the proposed alternative did not figure in the meeting.

Nonetheless, the Government of Manipur would talk with its Nagaland counterpart to let Manipur bound heavy vehicles take the 50 Kms long Kohima-Chakabama-Zakhama road.

Meanwhile, some staff of IOC's Imphal depot today assessed the existing condition of Kohima-Chakabama-Zakhama road .

It is said that the road is in good shape and there would be no problem in the movement of TTs and LPG bullets.

As of now, there is no other alternative except Kohima-Chakabama-Zakhama road for the Kohima-Jessami-Ukhrul road is in dilapidated condition.

Presently, IOC's Imphal depot has 12 days stock of petrol and diesel for 16 days' requirement.

In addition, there 12 standing petrol TTs and 10 standing diesel TTs.

Since the 36 hours general strike called by KSDC from July 8 which was followed by 48 hours economic blockade, only one convoy of TTs have reached the depot till date.