MLA Losii Dikho Apprises Manipur CS on Alternate Lifeline; Heavy Vehicular Movement Resumes Along NH-2

Senapati, June 6: Mao Assembly Constituency MLA Losii Dikho, committed to his assurance in providing uninterrupted flow of essential commodities to Manipur through an alternate lifeline, apprised Manipur Chief Secretary PK Singh about the road conditions along NH-2 on Thursday. It may be mentioned that National Highway-2 (Kohima to Mao) remained cut-off from Phesama, Nagaland due to massive landslides. 

Sources informed that, the Chief Secretary acknowledged the issue and directed concerned officials to instantly execute major repairing works along the 9 KM Mao-Chakhabama via Kedima road, bordering Nagaland. 

On Friday morning, the MLA was at ground zero supervising and monitoring the repairing works with heavy machinery, including two porclains, two JCBs, one roller, five dumpers and labourers at different work sites. Apart from clearing drainage, the narrow stretches were widened, filled, rolled over with stones and jungle clearance was done all along the way. 

Normal movement of heavy trucks were permitted while the empty trucks stranded in Khuzama were diverted to the new alternative link road. The MLA also met PWD officials and leaders from Senapati District Truck Owner’s Association and Senapati District Truck Driver’s Union who were also providing assistance to open and repair the said route. 

Also read | MLA Losii Dikho Conducts Survey for Manipur’s Alternate Lifeline, Calls for Urgent Repairs

Notably, MLA Losii Dikho had conducted a survey of the alternate route three days ago where he also met local leaders of Kedima and Chakhabama villages to support the initiative. By evening, the three-time MLA and former minister spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio seeking support to open the Mao-Chakhabama road for Manipur-bound heavy vehicles to which the Nagaland CM accepted. On Thursday, the MLA wrote to Manipur Chief Secretary about the matter that requires immediate attention on the NH-2 (Kohima to Mao) road closure due to massive road sinking near Phesama. He also suggested that the Government of Manipur may request the Government of Nagaland to repair and maintain the existing 18 KM road stretch from Chakhabama to Nagaland-Manipur border.

The revival of an alternate lifeline, with the intervention of the Nagaland CM, Manipur Speaker and MLA Dikho, has not only provided normal movements for vehicles carrying essential commodities but also relieved truck drivers who were left stranded for many days since June 1 without any basic amenities and security along the NH-2.

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