• Provisions to weigh and check vehicle loads be enforced
• Bar entry on vehicles hazardous to ply on the said terrain • Create designated parking areas to house heavy vehicles
• Security personnel to escort, control the movement of heavy vehicles
DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): Various youth organizations have called for strict implementation of the various road rules applying to heavy vehicles plying along NH-29 from Dimapur-Kohima-Khuzama and other highways in the State.
In a representation addressed to the Chief Minister TR Zeliang, the Angami Youth Organization, Chakhroma Youth Organization, Northern Angami Youth Organization, Southern Angami Youth Organization and Western Angami Youth Organization lamented the sad plight of NH-29.
It pointed out that no legal rules or conditions has been found to have been notified/ enforced/ imposed for the quality upkeep of the NH-29 from the onslaught of heavy commercial vehicles plying along the highway.
While an array of factors and subjects contribute to the woes of the NH right from implementation of policies and rules to groundwork execution, unstable natural terrain, being decrepit, socio-ethnic matters, the youth organizations pinpointed one main factor creating damaging havoc on the roads- heavy vehicles plying with loads beyond sustainable weights and pressures, which the existing highway/roads cannot withstand.
It stated that the phenomenal raise in the volume of heavy vehicles plying on the small decrepit highway- of trucks running on 10-18 wheels, ferrying goods weighing to the volume of more than 40 tons have become a regular sight, running and crushing out the life of the roads prematurely and instantly.
And while, rules of providing a specific time period for entry vehicle into the town/city areas is being enforced, this also posed a number of threats and baneful effects to the inhabitants of the State particularly to people/ commuters living on the fringes of the towns and highways starting from Khuzama village to Dimapur, the youth organizations pointed out.
It also stated that unwarranted incidents and fatal accidents are on the rise; this is bound to produce unhealthy social situations if remedial measures are not initiated as the earliest.
The youth organization has therefore demanded for immediate implementation of a number of road rules pertaining to NH-29 to avoid future inconveniences.
It has demanded provisions/machinery to weigh and check vehicle loads be enforced, to bar entry on vehicles not suitable/hazardous to ply in the said terrain, particularly heavy vehicles with more than 12 wheels, and to create designated parking slots/areas with basic amenities to house heavy vehicles, to control pollutions and other contaminations.
Further, the youth organizations also demanded detailing of security personnel to escort and control the movement/ speed of heavy vehicles crossing the State, especially trucks/ tankers plying down from Manipur towards Dimapur.
It also stated that the entry time for Inter-State heavy vehicles (goods carrier) be scheduled from 7pm-7am. Heavy vehicles stranded on the highway, particularly at Peducha Gate and Reserve Gate Phesama, owing to the Entry Time Rule, be resized and their stationing locations be reallocated, it added.
