Road transport disrupted in Kohima for fifth day

Kohima, Oct 20: Road transport was disrupted here for the fifth day today following landslides on National Highway 39 at Lalmati area near Kiruphema in this district.

Official sources said the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) personnel were able to clear the road only for a few minutes and four to five light vehicles were being allowed to pass following frequent landslides triggered by heavy showers.

Over 800 vehicles bound for Kohima and Manipur, containing essential commodities and petroleum products, were stranded on NH 39 for the past five days.

The road was expected to be open by this morning, but heavy showers in the wee hours today further obstructed the highway.

Border Roads Organisation officials said the road could not be repaired until the weather improved.

Meanwhile, Kohima was facing acute scarcity of petrol, diesel, kerosene, vegetables, egg, meat, fish and other essential commodities with their prices skyrocketting.

The district administration was taking steps to resume the supply of essential commodities, official sources added.

UNI