Jowai, September 30: The condition of arterial National Highway 6 which connects NE states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram through Meghalaya to the rest of the country has worsened very much of late especially in the stretch between from Khliehriat to Rattacherra in the Malidor East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya.
It has caused disruption of supply of essentials and other items to the NE states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram by roads as trucks can hardly move smoothly on the highway stretch.It has also caused considerable inconvenience for commuters, especially students traveling to schools in nearby villages.
The maintenance of this highway falls under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Unfortunately, in areas prone to landslides and mudslides, particularly in villages such as Tongseng, Pyrttakuna, Umkiang, and Kuliang, the highway frequently experiences disruptions, especially during the rainy season.
On September 9, in response to the road’s worsening condition, the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority in East Jaintia Hills District issued a public notice that highlighted the poor condition of bridges along NH-6 at Tongseng, Sonapyrdi, Pyrtakuna, Umkiang, and Rattacherra, which poses a serious risk of further damage to the road.
To prevent accidents for passengers, vehicles, and the public, the Deputy Commissioner has directed the Project Director of NHAI, Meghalaya Shillong to take immediate action to repair the bridges in these areas. Despite efforts from NHAI to initiate repairs on parts of NH-6, there have been no visible improvements thus far.