Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem addressing a meeting with representatives of the North East Federation of Truck Owners and Drivers Union on July 21. (DIPR Photo)
KOHIMA, JULY 21 (MExN): The North East Federation of Truck Owners and Drivers Union (NEFTOD&TU) has sought a review of restrictions on heavy vehicle movement along the Kohima-Mao stretch of NH-2, citing financial hardship faced by truck owners and drivers, while the Kohima district administration has assured that the concerns raised would be examined.
The issue was raised during a meeting between Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem and representatives of the federation on July 21 to discuss restrictions on heavy vehicle movement along NH-29 and NH-2, along with other issues affecting the trucking community.
According to a DIPR report, Buchem acknowledged receipt of the federation’s representation and said the concerns raised by the truckers were not confined to a single state or union but affected the wider region.
Referring to the ongoing construction of the Kohima bypass and the fragile condition of NH-29 and NH-2 during the monsoon season, the DC said the restriction on 10-wheel configuration and overloaded heavy vehicles from June to October 2026 was a temporary measure.
He said the decision was taken following deliberations during the Chief Minister’s meeting on May 29, 2026, to ensure road safety and uninterrupted traffic movement.
Speaking on behalf of the federation, the NEFTOD&TU President appealed for a review of the restriction along the Kohima-Mao stretch of NH-2. He maintained that the restriction had caused severe financial hardship to truck owners and drivers, many of whom were servicing vehicle loans.
The federation requested the administration to consider allowing 16-wheel trucks with a maximum load of 35 metric tonnes to operate under regulated conditions.
It also proposed the constitution of a joint monitoring committee comprising representatives of the district administration, Police, Transport Department, NHIDCL/PWD and the union to oversee vehicle movement and weight checks.
Other suggestions included mandatory weighing of trucks at designated weighbridges with clearance slips, strict enforcement against overloading, deployment of union representatives during weight measurement and identification of alternative routes for overloaded vehicles.
The federation also sought periodic updates from NHIDCL on the progress of bridge repairs, along with a definite timeline for restoration of normal traffic. It further proposed monitoring vehicle loads at the Dimapur weighbridge and requested that restrictions remain time-bound to minimise disruption to the movement of essential commodities and trade.
Meanwhile, recalling the cooperation extended by the trucking community during past interstate disruptions, Buchem urged the federation to continue cooperating with the administration in addressing issues such as the identification of abandoned vehicles and unnecessary honking.
