Landslides on NH-6 disrupt NHAI plans

SHILLONG, July 1: Landslides and mudslides are spelling disaster for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) which intends to build a four-lane road from Jowai till Ratacherra with a different alignment.
Landslides have been occurring on a section of the highway near Sonapur tunnel for quite some time.
Now, the NHAI is in a dilemma on whether it should spend hefty amounts in resolving the problem or simply make temporary arrangements.
The NH-6 is used by hundreds of vehicles every day as this road connects Meghalaya with the other Northeastern states, but lately, landslides have started to dog travellers frequently.
A few years ago, the NHAI had upgrade the road into a double lane, and it is also learnt that the problem of landslides has been discussed in detail with the state government.
Sources from NHAI said that there is no short-term solution to this problem. The only pro-tem solution is keeping the machines at close proximity to the landslide-prone areas so as to clear the road as soon as possible.
As far as long-term measures are concerned, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is reportedly preparing a DPR (detailed project report) at present for a four-lane road, while there is also a proposal for a different alignment altogether. In such case, the area of Sonpur tunnel will become redundant
“The question is should NHAI spend huge amount of money for the stretch when NHIDCL is proposing a different alignment together in their proposed four-lane road,” sources said, while adding that there needs to clarity so that both NHAI and NHIDCL can take necessary measures.
It is also learnt that NHAI consultants are on their job to find out a solution to the problem of mudslides on some stretches of the highway.