By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 20: Landslides and mudslides continue to haunt travellers on the Jowai-Malidor stretch of national Highway 6 for years now with movement on this arterial highway affected by the lightest of rain in the area.
A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared to resolve the problem permanently but the repair work is expected to take more than two years to complete.
An official of the National Highways Authority of India said seven critical locations on this road witness frequent landslides, often cutting off a part of the Northeast from the rest of the country.
He said the DPR for a long-lasting solution to the problem has been prepared by THDC India Limited, a company specialising in power.
The DPR, submitted recently, is expected to take a couple of months to be cleared. “After the go-ahead, the project will take two years to complete as the working season in Meghalaya is limited due to rainfall,” the official said.
The project entails the construction of slope-stabilising structures for protection from erosion and landslides on both sides of the road.
The NHAI official also said two contracts were issued recently for road maintenance but the work has not been completed due to incessant rainfall in the area.
Meanwhile, the state government said its officials assessed the condition of the NH-6 stretch from Lumshnong to Ratacherra affected by landslides and water overflow frequently.
The government directed the officials to immediately divert the water flow and work on a permanent solution by engaging stakeholders, including the Mining and Geology Department.
A detailed study was conducted following the devastating landslides and massive water flow along a 50-km stretch of NH-6 in 2022. A proposal is ready for presentation to the ministry to address and manage the water flow situation.
As part of the proposal, the government is working to manage the water flow by strengthening the hills and valleys. The government also proposes to undertake afforestation in the affected hills from Lumshnong to Ratacherra.