Concerns over the deplorable road conditions along National Highway-2 connecting Nagaland with Manipur has prompted the Southern Angami villages under the aegis of Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) to take up road repair from Phesama to Khuzama, a stretch of 30km.

SAPO President Kevipodi Sophie said it decided to take up the repair work of NH-2 in consideration of the very deplorable condition of the road which was endangering human life and causing untold miseries and hardships to commuters.

He informed that a total of five villages under Southern Angami Area participated in the repair works which was carried out with free will contributions from different villages, individuals and well-wishers.

“I find the outcome is very good and most of the deplorable roads are repaired. Of course, we could not do everything, we have limited resource so we could not finish every nook and corner but majority of the stretch has been covered and done with [satisfactorily],” stated Sophie.

The repair works were carried out with free will contributions from different villages, individuals and well-wishers.

Sophie stated that the project of the two-lane road was given to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) – the implementing agency – while the construction of the two lane was allotted to Fortune Group. However, he alleged that the work has not been carried out and the road has gone from bad to worse. “It is next to impossible to ply and so we have taken up the decision to repair,” he added.

When SAPO had enquired about the problem being faced by NHIDCL, the latter responded that they had no manpower and machineries which had created hindrance in carrying out the work, Sophie further informed.

We had witnessed enough of accidents, many incidences and enough of back ache travelling in this stretch – Metekhrielie Mejura, SAYO president.

The president of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), Metekhrielie Mejura, stated that no advance progress has been made as expected till date despite repeated approaches. He informed that this was the second time the Southern Angami villages had taken up the social work at NH-2 to exhibit their utmost concerns and safety for the people.

Read more: SAYO initiates road repair drive at National Highway 2

“We had witnessed enough of accidents, many incidences and enough of back ache travelling in this stretch. It’s a shame to call National Highway at this road conditions,” said Mejura.

The SAYO once again along with the public uproar strongly urge upon the competent authority and the construction parties to immediately take up and execute the works as per assigned, the SAYO president further stressed.

He also cautioned that if the concerned authorities fail to take up the construction of the road, SAYO will be compelled to bar entry and exit of heavy vehicles such as goods ferrying trucks till the roads are made into 2 lane or 4 lane and strengthened into motorable standards for the safety of all. He said the construction team would be held responsible if any untoward incident arises due to the deplorable road conditions.

We have limited resource so we could not finish every nook and corner but majority of the stretch has been covered – Kevipodi Sophie, SAPO president.

For the smooth progress of road repair, all heavy vehicle (trucks and tankers, both local and non-local) were prohibited to ply from 6am to 4pm and all parking of vehicles from Phesama check gate to Khuzama village was also restricted.

NH-2 is a link road to 13 Angami Naga villages and Kisama heritage village where the famous Hornbill Festival is held. The route also leads to Dzükou Valley, an international tourist trekking destination.

The frontal organization of Southern Angami area held a combined meeting on 19 October at SABT Hall Kohima during which they deliberated on the deplorable road condition of National Highway-2. It came to the conclusion that the road was too risky for vehicles to ply through unless some major repairing work was done, as the stretch had become an accident-prone area with daily commuters facing untold miseries.