NH-2 : More like an inter-village road
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, October 25 2015 : The Trans Asian Highway No.1 or more popularly known as National Highway No 2 passing through Sadar Hills is today dotted with potholes and bears a close resemblance to a century old village road.

The main lifeline of the State, this highway is today infamous as a pothole dotted route severely inconveniencing thousands of commuters every day.

The indifference of the State Government, the departments concerned and sloppy contractors is clearly visible in the pathetic state of the highway.

Sick with the indifference of the Government, local residents including various civil society organizations within Sadar Hills have warned of launching intense agitation if the present condition of the road is not satisfactorily repaired within a week.

The 40 km stretch between Taphou Kuki and Gamgiphai in Sadar Hills, is a gruelling stretch giving the commuters on this route a nightmarish experience.

A pot hole on the highway

The stretch between Kangpokpi and Yaikongpao via Daili village is dotted with innumerable potholes rendering travelling a pain while the same pathetic condition can also be seen between Kalapahar and Bongmoul village via Keithelmanbi (Champhai) .

The stretch between Leikop and Koubru Leikha via Bimparao is no better with oversized potholes enough to keel over heavy loaded vehicles.

While the segment between Sapormeina and Hengjang village is in complete disarray, the situation is no better at N Songlung, Mongpijang and Motbung.

The numerous potholes between Taphou Kuki and Kangpokpi section have also made travelling all that more painful.

This is a consistent problem every season and this winter too the same condition is set to prevail.

A few potholes at Kangpokpi area have been patched up recently but the work has been left unfinished allegedly due to shortage of fund.

Enraged residents of Sapormeina said that riding along the highway is akin to riding along an inter-village road.

One driver narrated that he had to visit the workshop at least twice a week to repair his vehicle and spend at least Rs 2000/3000 due to the bad condition of the highway.

This extra expenditure eats into his earning, he added.

Another resident of Motbung lamented the negligence of the State Government and the department concerned towards the deplorable condition of the highway which has led to frequent road accidents even in the bazar area of Motbung.

One teacher at Keithelmanbi said that the pathetic condition of the highway and the dreaded potholes not only inconvenience the road users but also affect the school going children and sick persons in particular.

Another Kangpokpi resident complained that more than 100 loaded vehicles and oil tankers pass through the highway daily and this is apart from inter-State and State passenger and private vehicles.

However the State Government and the department concerned have refused to acknowledge the essentiality of the Trans Asian Highway.

One CSO leader also alleged that it is obvious to the public that department concerned is not taking up any prompt action to mend the potholes when they are undersized and is thus not such a financial burden.

A visibly irked resident of Kangpokpi allegedly said that collusion between corrupt officials and contractors as well as the apathetic attitude of the State Government is the major factor for such a disgraceful road condition.

"Yet no action is ever taken against the guilty", he asserted before adding that in case of deaths or injuries caused by the bad road condition, the State Government should be held responsible.

Meanwhile, enraged with the never-ending deplorable road condition and the numerous potholes on the Trans Asian Highway No.1, local residents including various civil society organizations within Sadar Hills have warned of launching intense agitation if the present condition of the road is not satisfactorily repaired within a week.