The central leadership of the influential Young Mizo Association (YMA) has voiced strong criticism against the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for the sluggish pace of a crucial highway maintenance project in Mizoram.
Inspection Reveals Alarming Delays
On Saturday, a high-level team from the YMA's central committee conducted a site inspection along the Vairengte-Sairang section of the vital Aizawl-Silchar national highway. The team was led by the association's central vice-president, Prof. Lalnuntluanga. Their findings revealed a deeply disappointing state of affairs regarding the Short Term Maintenance Contract work being executed by NHIDCL.
The leaders expressed profound dissatisfaction, stating that none of the contractors involved had managed to complete even half of their assigned tasks. This slow progress poses a significant risk to the connectivity and safety of the region, especially with the impending monsoon season.
Urgent Call for Timely Completion
Following the inspection, the YMA leadership held discussions with NHIDCL officials present at the site. They issued a stern and urgent appeal, urging the corporation to expedite all remaining work and ensure its completion well before the arrival of the monsoon rains next year.
The Aizawl-Silchar highway is a critical lifeline for Mizoram, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people. Delays in its maintenance not only cause public inconvenience but also have broader economic implications for the state. The YMA, as a powerful civil society organization in Mizoram, has taken a proactive stand to hold the implementing agency accountable for the project's timeline.
Accountability and Public Interest
This public intervention by the YMA underscores the growing frustration among local communities with infrastructure delays. The association's direct engagement highlights the importance of civic oversight in public projects. By setting a clear deadline tied to the monsoon, the YMA has emphasized the urgency of the situation, as heavy rains could severely damage the highway if maintenance work is not finished in time.
The ball is now in NHIDCL's court to address these concerns, mobilize resources, and accelerate the pace of work on the Vairengte-Sairang stretch to meet the public's expectation and the practical deadline set by nature.
