Shamator, September 3 (MExN): The Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF) has urged the State Government and concerned National Highway authorities to undertake immediate and permanent restoration of two landslide-affected stretches of NH-202 near NAP camp in Shamator and Shungkiu Village.
In a press release issued on September 3, the STPF said both stretches have become completely unmotorable, severely affecting connectivity in Shamator district. The landslide-affected stretch near NAP has disrupted the road since 2024 and extends approximately 200-300 metres, while the Shungkiu stretch, extending about 400-500 metres, has remained cut off since 2018.
The forum said the extent and prolonged deterioration of the two stretches had placed them "beyond ordinary repair," requiring permanent reconstruction and proper engineering intervention.
According to the STPF, commuters are currently compelled to use alternative routes that add around 10-20 km to their journeys. It said these routes are also difficult and risky, particularly during the monsoon, due to poor road conditions, narrow stretches and landslide-prone areas.
The forum expressed particular concern over the impact on emergency travel, including for patients, pregnant women and elderly persons requiring urgent medical attention. "The people of Shamator District should not be forced to take unsafe and lengthy alternative routes simply because a vital stretch of NH-202 has remained cut off for years," it stated.
The STPF said NH-202 serves as a "lifeline" for Shamator district, providing connectivity to Kiphire and Pungro headquarters and facilitating the movement of essential commodities, patients, students, government employees and the general public.
The continued disruption, it said, affects healthcare, education, administration, trade and the wider socio-economic life of the district. It particularly pointed to the Shungkiu stretch, which has remained cut off since 2018, saying that "nearly eight years of disruption" of an important road cannot be accepted as normal.
The forum has called for immediate technical inspection and assessment of both affected locations and temporary restoration of connectivity wherever technically feasible. It also demanded permanent reconstruction of the 400-500 metre Shungkiu stretch and the 200-300 metre NAP stretch.
It further called for slope stabilisation, proper drainage, retaining structures and other scientific engineering measures to prevent recurring landslides. The forum also sought a clear, time-bound action plan for permanent restoration instead of repeated temporary repairs and assurances.
The STPF urged the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) to take up the matter with the State Government and concerned authorities on "topmost priority" and pursue it until a permanent and time-bound solution is delivered.
The forum reiterated that alternative routes cannot be considered a permanent solution, stating that prolonged blockage at Shungkiu and continued disruption at NAP should not be allowed to continue.
"NH-202 is not merely a road—it is the lifeline connecting the people of Shamator District to Kiphire and Pungro Headquarters," the STPF said, calling for safe, reliable and all-weather connectivity.
