SENAPATI, June 23: Vehicular movement along the National Highway 102A connecting Ukhrul and Tadubi has been completely halted following a mudslide at Lower Phaibung village, leaving commuters stranded and raising serious concerns about road safety during the monsoon season.

Sources informed that a mudslide has completely blocked the highway, and the diversion road through the village is not feasible to travel during the rainy season.

Veisii Careson, Chairman of Lower Phaibung Village, informed that “the new cutting along NH 102A has affected a couple of houses and the concerned authority has refused to pay compensation for the damage. The concerned authority says they can only help in relocating the house, but the affected house owners had refused their proposition.”

“The Village Authority had to convince the landowners even before being compensated so that the construction company could proceed with the new cutting in the greater interest of the public. We have repeatedly informed the district administrators and NHIDCL, but they are yet to come to an agreement with the landowners,” stated Veisii Careson.

“Our villagers couldn’t even go to the field by vehicles when it rained because of the mudslide and the slippery road. We have opened a diversion road and asked the contractor/company to put pebbles which our villagers are offering free of cost, but they are reluctant to do so. We the villagers are at the receiving ends as we have to help passenger vehicles by pulling or pushing the cars/trucks as we can’t just simply ignore people in need,” lamented the Chairman of Lower Phaibung.

A rock-slide at Tungjoy Village, Senapati, in early June had also completely cut off the Ukhrul-Tadubi road. Commuters along the National Highway 102A are claiming that the mudslide and rock-slide is just a beginning and that more such incidents can be expected in the future, especially during the rainy season.