Silchar–Imphal National Highway 37 Blocked Due To Massive Landslide near Jujang Hills

A massive landslide has brought traffic to a complete halt on National Highway 37, the vital road link connecting Silchar and Imphal. The incident occurred early Sunday (October 12) in the Jujang Hill area under Lakhipur in the Cachar district following incessant rainfall.

Due to the heavy downpour, a large portion of the hillside collapsed onto the highway, covering the road with huge amounts of debris and mud. As a result, vehicular movement on the Silchar–Imphal National Highway has been completely disrupted, leaving hundreds of vehicles, including passenger buses, goods carriers, and private cars, stranded on both sides of the road.

A passenger stranded at the spot said, “Hundreds of vehicles are stuck on both sides of the road, making it a very difficult situation for passengers and drivers alike. With the excavation work being carried out by NHIDCL using JCBs, the patch doesn’t seem to be clearing up before the evening. This has disrupted the movement of essential goods as well as passengers.”

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has deployed excavators to clear the debris. However, officials are reportedly facing a tough time as the volume of soil and boulders is enormous. The work is expected to take several more hours before the road can be reopened for traffic.

Commuters travelling between Manipur and Silchar, as well as those moving towards or from Jirighat, are severely affected by the disruption. Many passengers have criticised NHIDCL and the engineers in charge, calling the situation a result of poor maintenance and failure to take preventive measures despite frequent landslides along all the hilly roads of the North-Eastern states.