Mizoram cut off from rest of country as vehicle owner associations stage strike over poor road

Mizoram has been cut off from rest of the country on Thursday due to strike clamped on the National Highway-306 by various vehicle owner and driver associations, sources said. The NH-306 which links Mizoram with Assam is the lifeline of the state as all supplies come from outside through this road. At least four vehicle owner and drivers associations based in Assam border Kolasib district staged an indefinite blockade on the NH-306 commencing on Thursday to protest against the dilapidated condition of the road. Kolasib unit of Mizoram Tipper association secretary F. Lalbiakliana said that the associations have been demanding good road and have repeatedly asked the state government and other construction companies to repair the most deplorable sections of the national highway for several times but to no avail. He said that all vehicles, including private and those carrying essential commodities and oil were not allowed to ply on the National Highway within Kolasib district.

Vehicles on medical emergency and  essential services were exempted, he said. The leader said that the NH-306 between Vairengte in Kolasib district and Sairang in Aizawl district is in such dilapidated condition that it is on the verge of non-pliable for a long time especially during monsoon. The poor road condition also affected several students to go to their schools, he said. He alleged that the associations and state government along with National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which monitor and manage a long stretch of the national highway, had discussed the matter on at least five occasions in the past, but to no avail.  “After our repeated requests to repair the road went unattended, we are compelled to organise blockade to mount pressure on the government and concerned construction companies,” Lalbiakliana said.

The associations have alleged the NHIDCL was ignoring their requests and did not take appropriate steps to address the issue. A long stretch or majority sections of the NH-306 is under the management of NHIDCL, while certain sections especially between Kawnpui village and Khamrang village ( about 18 km) and Bilkhawthlir to Kolasib town (19 km) are under Mizoram’s Public Work department. Meanwhile, Mizoram Merchants’ Association (MIMA) has expressed solidarity to the Kolasib vehicle owner and driver associations for the strike. The merchant body also urged all traders in the state not to hike process of commodities during the blockade.