Aizawl: Mizoram Public Works Department (PWD) minister Vanlalhlana has said the state government is taking all necessary measures to repair the stretches of the National Highway-306 and National Highway-6 that have been lying in a dilapidated condition hindering movement of oil tankers and goods-laden trucks.
The highway is Mizoram’s primary lifeline that connects the hill state with neighbouring Assam and rest of the country.
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Mizoram at present is grappling with acute shortage of fuel and other essential commodities as hundreds of trucks and oil tankers are stranded due to the poor condition of the highway.
The Mizoram Oil Tanker Drivers’ Association (MOTDA) and Petroleum Entrepreneurs’ and Transporters’ Union of Mizoram (PETUM) have ceased operations along the stretch of the highway since Tuesday.
Vanlalhlana on Wednesday inspected the Kawnpui-Khamrang stretch of the National Highway-6 – the worst-affected – and the affected portion of National Highway-306 between Kawnpui and Sethawn in Kolasib district bordering Assam.
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The minister said the state government has been making all-out efforts to repair the highway with all the available resources.
He said that the worst-affected portion of the highway would be repaired first and made motorable at the earliest.
He asked the PWD officials to expeditiously carry out the repair works.
Meanwhile, officials said that all vehicles stranded between Kawnpui and Khamrang along the National Highway-6 were made to move on Wednesday.
They said that no further movement of vehicles will be allowed along the stretch between Thursday and Saturday in order to expedite the repair works.
On the other hand, the leaders of MOTDA and PETUM said they will inspect the ongoing repair works at the Kawnpui-Khamrang stretch on Friday and resume operations only after the highway is found to be suitable for transportation of oil.