Southern Angami Youth Organisation ultimatum expires; restrictions on NH 2 Kohima-Mao

KOHIMA — The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has imposed restriction on vehicles with more than 3 axles from plying on National Highway 2 in the Kohima-Mao stretch beginning from 5 pm on Sunday till further notice.

This move comes in response to the expiry of the 15-day ultimatum previously submitted to the authorities concerned for immediate action towards restoring, renovating and upgrading the Kohima – Mao stretch, which is about 26.7 km long.

On October 4, the organisation submitted a representation to Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang—who is also the minister in-charge of National Highways, Planning and Transformation—seeking immediate restoration and upgrade of the road within 15 days. It warned of “severe measures” in the event of the government failing to act on its ultimatum.

The president of SAYO, Metekhrielie Mejura, told journalists on Sunday evening that the government did not contact them directly during the 15-day period but they saw some “action” which was “not up to our expectation, and we are not satisfied”.

So, the demand now is for them to take immediate action, start repairing, renovating, and upgrading the road with proper drainage, he said.

He added they are aware of tenders being floated for works on this particular stretch of the highway and whoever gets it will start construction in the beginning of November.

“If NHIDCL or the concerned authority come and do the emergency maintenance, we are in a position to discuss and may call off the agitation as well,” he said.

At this juncture, the road is not in a condition to hold heavy vehicles prompting SAYO to restrict vehicles bearing more than 3 axle tyres from entering and exiting, he informed.

The youth leader claimed that their action was for the welfare of truck drivers while citing frequent accidents along the road due to its pitiable condition.

Mejura informed that a special permit is available for trucks with more than 3 axle tyres that are going to Kisama in view of the forthcoming Hornbill Festival. Trucks that are coming from Manipur and are offloaded/empty will also be allowed to ply.

Three locations including Phesama Old Check Gate, Khuzama and Viswema have been identified as check points by SAYO.

Some of the grievances faced by the public due to the poor road condition, he said, include experiencing dust-related diseases, accidents, and cars breaking down frequently that cause heavy loss to the owners and drivers alike.

During the 15-day period of ultimatum, more than seven vehicular accidents have occurred along this particular stretch of road, it was informed. 

“As far as we know, NHIDCL should be held responsible for it (providing better roads)”, Mejura said and added Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and contractors are also responsible.

He said that state PWD (National Highway, Roads and Bridges) should voice out for the public and put forward their grievances.

“Our grievances, our voice, our rights should be taken and forwarded by the state government to the central government and the ministry”, he added.

It was learnt that a technical fact-finding team along with representatives from National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), administration, NH (PWD), Road and Bridges (PWD), Southern Angami Public Organisation and SAYO, paid their first visit to assess the road condition last week.

The road stretch was initially proposed as a 4-lane highway but later de-scoped to 2-lane due to technical reasons. But it has now been de-scoped again to strengthening and maintaining of the existing road, making the road condition “worse than before”.

Besides that, incessant and prolonged rainfall has also added to worsening the road condition that was already deplorable, he maintained.

According to the SAYO president, it is high time to build new bridges, culverts, and drainages as old bridges have been ageing for more than 80 years now.

“Our state has already celebrated 50 years of statehood. It is high time the government came in and intervened and brought new infrastructure by renovating our bridges and roads,” he said.

SAYO has now appealed to the union ministry through the state government on three occasions: in February 2022, in October 2023, in May 2024, and recently on October 4.