Earth cutting, filling and mining in private properties from Khliehriat to Ratacherra has been cited as one of the reasons for the damages of the national highway 6 in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
This is according to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in its reply to the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) on the atrocious conditions of the national highway, which also connects Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
Stating that repair and maintenance is being carried out regularly along the national highway, the NHAI said setting up of car wash outlets, haphazard laying of pipelines, overloading of vehicles carrying quarry materials, construction of village road without proper drainage system and raising of land level above the road during construction of houses without proper drainage system contributed to the damages.
According to NHAI Chief General Manager HR, Sunil Prakash Bhardwaj before this monsoon, full stretch of the road was repaired and was in traffic worthy condition. However, unprecedented rainfall has also resulted to landslides and deteriorated most portion of the highway, especially the stretch from Sonapur to Ratacherra, he added.
He said patchworks have been done continuously by WMM/granular material even during rains, but since bituminous works is not feasible in continuous rain, works will commence as soon as the weather conditions are favourable and availability on dry spell weather.
Bhardwaj also informed that a new contractor, SL Infra has been engaged on September 29 to undertake repair operations from Sonapur (km 141+500) to Ratacherra (km 171.455) and that the existing contractor, MR Construction is engaged to undertake repair work from Jowai (km 69.20) to Sonapur (km 141.50).
He said proposal for strengthening and rehabilitating the entire Jowai to Ratacherra stretch, covering a total distance of 102.255 km, is currently under consideration. “We are in the advanced stages of seeking approval for this vital project, which is necessary for the long-term durability and safety of the Jowai Ratacherra NH 06 roadway,” he added.
Meanwhile, JNC Information Secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlain said the organisation will pursue and follow up with the issues concerning the national highway to ensure that people do not continue to suffer.
