Landslides on Wokha-Merapani road disrupt communication

WOKHA — Traffic movement along Wokha-Merapani has been disrupted for over three months due to landslides in several locations triggered by incessant rains.

On August 26 morning, heavy rain caused landslides in two location between Thillong village and Doyang, which led to suspension of vehicular movement.

Wokha-Merapani road serves as a lifeline to the people of Wokha as well as for commuters for neighboring district of Mokokchung taking the road towards Dimapur via Assam.

The Wokha-Merapani road was renovated by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) through the contract work which was handed over to M/S CS Infra construction Pvt. Ltd. Co. with an amount worth more than INR 180 crore, for the estimated stretch of 60 km (classified into package 1, package 2 and package 3). The work order was handed over to the firm in 2017.

During the initial stage of the construction, the road construction company faced several complaints from the Lotha Hoho alleging unsatisfactory workmanship and failing to achieve the desired target as specified in the DPR. The Hoho had also filed a PIL in the year 2019 against the construction company.

It was learned that the road needs major repairs with immediate attention as landslides have occurred in several locations.

While the road construction was stated to have been completed, it was reported that more than 200-metre stretch has been lying unattended at the Assam-Nagaland boundary.

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