Shillong Road: Another late night landslide in Sonapur halts traffic

Shillong road, the only lifeline for people of Barak Valley and adjoining states to reach Guwahati has been jolted by another episode of landslide. Late last night (early morning) in between Malidor and Sonapur in three different places, mud coupled with heavy rock and mountain remains rolled down.

As per information received from PWD (NH), no loss of life or property is registered yet. Executive engineer of PWD (NH) informed us that a local agency has been appointed to clear the road and excavating machines are deployed on the ground. The engineer estimates by 2:00 PM the road will be open for vehicular traffic. The engineer mentioned that the clearance work started early morning and the agency is trying its best.

On the contrary, passengers who got stuck due to the landslide and eventually had to walk-pass the roadblock allege that till 9 AM there was no machine or team clearing the road. “We walked about a kilometer and half, we did not see any team at work,” said a passenger.

Some pictures of the landslide

The incoming night supers that left Guwahati last evening are stuck because of the landslide. While few passengers are waiting for the road to be cleared, some of them walked the roadblock and took a Cruiser from the other side. The Cruisers are dropping passengers to Badarpur and charging Rs 100 for the same. About 15 passengers are being fitted in each Cruiser, informed a passenger.

The day super busses that left for Guwahati this morning, are also stuck on the other side. For the passengers travelling to state capital, waiting is the only option.