Ukhrul, June 14: The National Highway 102A from Ukhrul-Toloi-Tadubi, about 96 kilometres is the lifeline of the people of Ukhrul. It connects Ukhrul to Senapati and Dimapur and beyond.
The widening to two lane with hard shoulder road of Ukhrul -Toloi-Tadubi section of NH102A from design chainage kilometre 9.450 to kilometre 50.850 (Package 2), a total of 41.4 kilometre in the state of Manipur on EPC Mode is being carried out by contractor M/s SS Builders- Ganpati Builders (JV).
Package 3, measuring 31.020 kilometre from design chainage 50.850 kilometre to 82.870 kilometre is being awarded to contractor M/s Satish Aggrawal & Company.
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Package IV, measuring 23.955 kilometre from design chainage 81.870 kilometre to 105.825 kilometre is being awarded to contractor M/s A K Shivhare Infrastructure Ltd.
With the onset of monsoon, there are multiple reports of rockslide and landslide along the National Highway 102A. A team of journalists from Ukhrul carried out an independent inspection from Ukhrul to Ngari River on Saturday and found landslides and rockslides at various portions along the National Highway 102A. The recent black topping in some portions have worn out. The team also witnessed road clearance being carried along the highway.
During interaction with the villagers who are settled along the NH 102A, have expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment with the ongoing works. Daniel Kashung from Hoomi Vokngayar stated “we are seeing a lot of landslides with NH 102A ongoing construction. Since we don’t know the rules and procedures, we don’t know how to approach them. Further, far from the expected straightened roads, we are seeing a very crooked structure. And then, there is the black topping which are all fading out. I don’t know whether that will be repaired. It is the wishes of the people of Hoomi Vokngayar that our leaders, concerned authorities look into it so that we get a good quality road.”
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Horeingam Zingkhai, Joint Secretary, Development Committee of Hoomi Vokngayar added “the monsoon season is just beginning, however we are witnessing lots of landslide and rockslide along NH 102A. The cutting quality of the road along NH 102A is questionable and we appeal to the concerned authority to kindly look into the matter.”
In an interaction with public transport providers plying between Ukhrul and Dimapur at Ngari River, Senapati District -a driver who does not want to be identified stated that “due to rockslide and landslide at some sections, we have to take alternative routes which take us longer. Moreover, the road is in deplorable conditions.”
Nganaopam Rungsung of Talui village stated that “with the onset of monsoon, we are witnessing lots of landslides along the NH 1012A and the road is in deplorable conditions. We are doubtful that it will withstand the coming monsoon or year. The vertical and steep cutting of the road without proper bench cutting may be the cause of the landslide. We appeal to the concerned authority to kindly take necessary action.”
The likely completion for Package 2 is slated for March 2026. The schedule completion for Package 3 is slated at September 2025 and for Package IV is slated on March 2025.
Commuters along NH 102A have started questioning the quality and safety of the road. The steep and vertical cutting of the land is one factor why there is rampant landslide. With just the onset of monsoon, there are landslides at various portions, recent black toppings are wearing off and people are apprehensive of the road conditions when the monsoon advances.