Commuters stranded on Silchar-Guwahati Road; East Jaintia Hills admin distributes relief items amidst challenging conditions

In the wake of recurring mudslides that have once again disrupted vehicular traffic on Shillong Road, a vital lifeline connecting the Barak Valley of Assam to the rest of the country, commuters find themselves facing a dire situation. Today morning, the East Jaintia Hills administration reported yet another incident near the Sonapur tunnel, marking the fifth occurrence this month alone.

Efforts to clear the road commenced promptly, despite heavy downpour, with the administration providing updates on the progress. However, by 2:00 pm, it became evident that a full day would be required to restore normal traffic conditions. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Abhilash Baranwal, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, took action and ordered the arrangement of relief items for those stranded on either side of the tunnel in Sonapur.

Nevertheless, distributing these essential supplies amidst challenging weather conditions proved to be a herculean task. “We began distributing water bottles and packets of biscuits around 5:00 pm. Although it appeared that the road might open for partial traffic, fresh mudslides occurred, necessitating a much longer delay,” shared Additional Commissioner Alertson Nongbri.

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, he further stated, “We are now focusing on providing food packets to ensure nobody sleeps hungry in their vehicles. Rice and vegetables are being arranged for those stranded on either side of the tunnel.”

The plight faced by commuters traveling along NH06 during the monsoon season is severe and yet continuously overlooked. This recurring problem persists year after year, and the lack of urgency in finding a solution is disheartening. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the governance of Minister Nitin Gadkari, has built roads in unimaginable conditions—underwater, across seas, and more. However, it seems that the same NHAI, under the same minister, remains oblivious to the hardships faced by the people in the Northeast. This raises questions about whether the Ministry has abandoned its responsibility towards the people of this region and stopped considering them as fellow countrymen.