A large number of commuters have been left stranded on the national highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills yet again, because of landslide at the Sonapur tunnel last night.
The landslide occurred at around 10 pm due to heavy rains causing a landslide in the same place and blocking of the national highway.
While the tunnel was cleared at 8 am today, East Jaiñtia Hills police have advised commuters to be on alert and drive cautiously as more rainfall is expected in the area in the next 24 hours.
In June, the Meghalaya High Court has asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to take remedial measures to prevent mudslides around the Sonapur tunnel on National Highway-6.
The court also asked NHAI to consider placing rocks and nets besides building retaining walls on the sides of the mountain on either side of the tunnel to ensure that the landslides do not affect navigability along the route.
Stating that landslides around the tunnel have made it extremely difficult for the tunnel to be navigable, the NHAI said that sufficient manpower has been engaged to remove the mud and debris and make the tunnel available to the heavy traffic passing either way.
The NHAI complained that the tunnel is in an area which is prone to landslides and, oftentimes, the slush chokes up the entirety of the tunnel.
The NHAI also said that it is exploring the nature of additional work that is necessary to allow the Sonapur tunnel to function normally and appropriate action in such regard will be taken expeditiously.
