AAIZAWL, August 1: Commercial vehicle operators in Mizoram have announced a voluntary suspension of operations on the Vairengte–Aizawl stretch of National Highway 306 (NH-6) from August 4 to 9, allowing uninterrupted repairs to the rain-damaged arterial route.
The decision, jointly taken by transport associations, is aimed at expediting ongoing restoration efforts on the critical highway, which links Mizoram with Assam and the rest of India. Truckers emphasized that the move is not a form of protest but a goodwill gesture to aid infrastructure agencies.
“This is not a bandh or strike. We are stepping back to allow the authorities to expedite work,” said a spokesperson for the vehicle operators at a press briefing. However, they cautioned that failure by the state Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to complete the repairs within the announced window could trigger future agitation.
Monsoon-triggered landslides and erosion have severely damaged the highway, particularly between Sairang and Kawnpui. As of Thursday, 380 goods-laden trucks remained stranded at Kawnpui, while 46 vehicles en route to Assam were stuck at Khamrang. Despite the disruption, authorities managed to release 106 essential supply trucks from Kawnpui, including LPG carriers and oil tankers.
Repair work is being jointly handled by NHIDCL and the state PWD. Officials have assured that the restoration is progressing swiftly. Meanwhile, a proposed indefinite strike by the Northeast Petroleum Mazdoor Union in Guwahati has been withdrawn following the Mizoram government’s appeal, easing concerns over potential fuel shortages.
