Mizoram govt urges truckers not to go for 4-day blockade of vital highway

Aizawl, Oct 22 (PTI) The Mizoram government on Wednesday urged truckers and other commercial vehicle owners in Kolasib district not to go for their planned four-day blockade of NH-306, the state's vital link, and warned of legal action if they went ahead with their proposed stir.

The Kolasib unit of Mizoram Tipper Association (MTA), and the joint action committee (JAC) of drivers and owners of commercial vehicles in Kolasib district have called for a four-day blockade on the Sairang-Vairengte and Kolasib-Bairabi stretches of NH-306 from 7 am on Thursday to 4 pm on Sunday to protest the dilapidated condition and slow repair work of the highway.

NH-306, a stretch of which is also called NH-6, is the primary lifeline of Mizoram, linking state capital Aizawl with the rest of the country through Assam's Silchar town.

Addressing a press conference here, state Home Minister K Sapdanga said that the government has strongly objected to the proposed stir and urged the organisers not to go for it.

He claimed that the national highway is currently being repaired by the state PWD and NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation).

"The state government strongly disapproves of the proposed stir at a time when the Mizoram PWD and NHIDCL are taking steps to repair the national highway. It wants the MTA to cancel the proposed blockade, which will surely affect the public," Sapdanga said.

The state home minister said that blocking national highways and any highway may invite legal action as it violates the National Highway Act, 1956 and Sections 126 and 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Any individual or organisation, which disturbs smooth movement of essential commodities can also be punished under the Mizoram Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1990, he said.

"The government may be forced to take legal action leading even to the cancellation of vehicle permits if the truckers and commercial vehicle operators go against the government," Sapdanga said.

He said that NH-306 has been badly damaged by rain and repair work could not be expedited earlier due to downpour.

"As winter season is fast approaching, the repair work will be expedited," he said.

Sapdanga said that vehicles, particularly trucks coming to Aizawl and moving to Assam, are being released on a rotational basis to ensure that they do not disturb the ongoing repair work.

He said that 985 vehicles, including fully loaded 367 trucks coming to Aizawl and 618 empty trucks going to Assam, were released in the last 24 hours and no vehicles were stranded till Wednesday morning.

State PWD Minister Vanlalhlana, who accompanied Sapdanga in the press meet, said that the repair work is expected to be completed by next month.

He said that the entire Sairang-Vairengte stretch has been fully taken over by the NHIDCL and the state PWD is assisting the construction agency to repair it.

Meanwhile, state Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) H Ramthlengliana said policemen from Aizawl will be sent to Kolasib to assist their counterparts there to maintain law and order during the proposed stir.

Alleging that the repair work was underway in a slow pace, the MTA and JAC urged the state government and NHIDCL to expedite it.

MTA general secretary Vanlallungtiawia said that the authorities would not be able to complete the work during the coming dry season if it continues at a snail's pace.

Vanlallungtiawia said that members of the MTA and JAC will block the Sairang-Vairengte and Kolasib-Bairabi sections of NH-306 to mount pressure on the NHIDCL and the state government.

Additionally, Kawnpui-Durtlang highway, a diversion road connecting Aizawl with Kolasib will also be blocked, he said. PTI COR ACD