For the residents of Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Senapati, the National Highways 102A and 202 are more than just roads—they are vital lifelines.
Lifelines in Peril
However, these critical arteries have fallen into a state of severe disrepair, plagued by massive landslides, years of neglect, and procedural gridlock.
In a bid to rescue the crumbling transport infrastructure of the hill districts, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah has taken the region’s highway crisis directly to the nation’s capital.
Muivah held high-level meetings in New Delhi with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on August 12 and MoRTH Secretary V. Umashankar on August 11, pleading for immediate intervention to restore National Highways 102A and 202. These crucial lifelines, serving the districts of Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Senapati, have fallen into severe disrepair, paralyzing local economies and daily life.
Delhi reacts to ground reality
Describing his meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as “fruitful,” Muivah revealed that the Union leader expressed deep concern over the persistent bottlenecks stalling progress on the ground.
Specifically, Gadkari highlighted delays in handing over land to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for the Ukhrul bypass and the Shangshak–Tengnoupal stretches. Court litigations have also paralyzed work on the Lower Hungpung–Choithar section of NH-202.
According to MLA Muivah, Gadkari expressed concern over the delays in handing over land to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, particularly for the Ukhrul bypass and the Shangshak–Tengnoupal stretches. The Union minister also took note of court-related delays affecting the Lower Hungpung–Choithar section of NH-202 and the Shangshak–Tengnoupal section of NH-102A.
In a swift response to the MLA’s plea, Gadkari directed MoRTH Secretary Umashankar to prioritize both national highways. He further ordered MoRTH Director Narendra Sharma to personally visit Ukhrul at the earliest, conduct a spot inquiry, and submit a comprehensive report recommending immediate remedial measures.
NHIDCL under lens
The MLA’s Delhi mission also included a crucial meeting with MoRTH Secretary V. Umashankar, where Muivah submitted a detailed written representation backed by photographic evidence of the highway devastation. While Umashankar acknowledged that the adverse law and order situation in Manipur has hampered construction, he assured the MLA that NHIDCL would be directed to expedite the works.
However, Muivah did not mince words regarding NHIDCL’s sluggishness, particularly on the Lower Hundung to Choithar sector of NH-202, which has seen no maintenance for nearly five years due to tendering issues and legal disputes. Muivah stated that NHIDCL appeared to have “run out of ideas and developed apathy and indifference to the sufferings of the people.”
In his letter to Minister Gadkari, Muivah wrote:
- “Under the circumstances, I am constrained to seek your personal intervention to suitably advise NHIDCL to be more proactive, professional, sensitive to the suffering of the people and expedite the construction and maintenance of the above two critically vital national highways without further loss of time in the interest of public service.”
MLA’s proposal
The highway crisis has peaked following relentless monsoon rains. A massive landslide near Phaibung on NH-102A has completely blocked the road since June 23, 2026. Highlighting the 15 km stretch from Tolloi Junction to Dungrei Junction in Ukhrul town, Muivah urged the Ministry to adopt modern, climate-resilient engineering.
Given the heavy rainfall in the region, the MLA proposed developing the Ukhrul town sector of NH-102A with rigid concrete pavement.
Furthermore, the MLA called for advanced landslide mitigation measures, including breast walls, retaining walls, soil nailing with shotcrete, bamboo plantation, and rock bolting with wire mesh to secure the fragile mountain terrain.
MoRTH assurance
While MoRTH officials cited the volatile law and order situation in Manipur as a contributing factor to construction delays, Secretary Umashankar offered assurances that he would instruct NHIDCL to expedite work on a priority basis.
With Delhi now taking direct charge of the inquiry, the people of Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Senapati watch anxiously, hoping these crucial arteries of Manipur will finally be restored.
