Restoration work on NH 202 Kiphire-Tuensang finally in progress
Morung Express News
Kiphire | November 15
Finally, much to the relief of the citizens of Kiphire and the surrounding areas, restoration work is in progress at the portion of the National Highway 202 connecting Kiphire - Tuensang which was washed away by a landslide on July 31 last near the Yieh Bridge under Shamator sub-division.
The road which had remained blocked for vehicular traffic for around three months was not only a subject of misery to commuters but had also caused untold suffering on the lives of the people of the area.
The restoration work could come to fruition after repeated appeals by tribal hohos, civil societies, NGOs and visits of the Chief Ministerial team led by Neiphiu Rio on August 30 and the Governor on September 21, 2018.
Advisor of fisheries & aquatic resources, evaluation, economics & statistics, L. Khumo, who has been camping at the highway for over a week to personally oversee the restoration work, pointed out to this correspondent that the highway is the only lifeline for the people of his constituency.
Had it been another highway it would have created law and order problem keeping in mind that the highway has been lying unattended for more than 90 days, Khumo noted.
While the restoration work is finally in progress, however, for the highway to become pliable it would take at least a couple of month. The reason being the steep and rocky topography of the said area, which makes very difficult for machineries to negotiate.
Executive Engineer, NH who was also at the site pointed out that without an alternative route, the problem would continue to persist every monsoon when landslides frequently strike the area. He added that the department is in the process of surveying an alternative route for which officials have been put on the job.
For the time being, people are left with no option but to carry on with their daily struggle of thoroughfare by crossing the river below which only off road vehicles like Gypsy and Bolero can negotiate. There have also been instances where patients and deceased had to be carried on bamboo stretchers to cross the landslide area of the highway.
