Imphal: Fresh landslides at Vaorei have brought traffic on Manipur’s Tadubi-Ukhrul stretch of National Highway 102A to a complete standstill, indefinitely delaying the reopening of the crucial route.
Originally closed on June 27 for blacktopping and repair work, the vital alternate lifeline has been hit by incessant rainfall, prompting urgent appeals from local transporters for the road to be cleared at the earliest.
The prolonged closure of the Tadubi-Ukhrul highway has severely affected commuters and the transport sector across Senapati, Ukhrul and Imphal.
Representatives of the Senapati District Truck Drivers’ Union and the Senapati District Truck Owners’ Association, along with officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), inspected the affected stretch.
Although temporary debris clearance was carried out, fresh major mudslides soon buried the road again.
The infrastructure crisis has been compounded by the prevailing security situation in the region. Transporters said many Naga civilians and travellers are avoiding the Senapati-Kangpokpi stretch of NH-2 due to the ongoing unrest, which often requires security escorts.
As a result, NH-102A has become an essential and safer alternative, making its restoration critical for regional connectivity.
NHIDCL officials said persistent bad weather and recurring landslides have disrupted the scheduled repair work. Their immediate priority is to clear the debris and restore basic vehicular movement, while permanent blacktopping will begin only after weather conditions improve.