SHILLONG, Feb 12: The Jowai-Ratacherra-Silchar road is a crucial route for people particularly in terms of trade and commerce besides serving as a link between Meghalaya, Cachar and other Northeastern states. But this route becomes vulnerable during the monsoon season as heavy rainfall and landslides snap connectivity in this particular stretch, and monsoon is only a few months away.
Speaking on this matter, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, Abhilash Baranwal, recalled that there were two incidents of landslides last year after which the administration had put up SOP on clearing the landslide debris in minimum time.
“We are also in touch with NHAI,” Baranwal said, while clarifying that these are only short-terms measures.
For a long-term solution to the problem, NHAI has already proposed a four-laning project and survey of the alignment is currently under way, he said.
In addition, traffic police personnel stationed at Lumshnong, Malidor and other outposts have often try to clear the traffic as and when a vehicle breaks down on the highway
It may be mentioned that this road is very sensitive as it passes through Ladrymbai and Khliehriat and often these smaller town gets clogged with traffic jam which sometimes last for hours.