Truckers, commercial vehicle operators call for 4-day strike to protest bad roads in Mizoram

Truckers and other commercial vehicle operators in Mizoram’s Kolasib district have called for a four-day strike from October 23 to protest the dilapidated state of National Highway-306, the state’s vital link, an agitating leader said on Monday (October 20, 2025).

He said the blockade will be spearheaded by the Kolasib unit of the Mizoram Tipper Association (MTA) and the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising drivers and commercial vehicle owners in Kolasib town.

NH-306, a portion of which is also called NH-6, is the primary lifeline of Mizoram and connects the State capital Aizawl with Assam’s Silchar town.

MTP Kolasib unit general secretary Vanlallungtiawia said: PTI The Sairang-Vairengte and Kolasib-Bairabi sections of NH-306 were stated to be in deplorable condition after being repaired in July and August, making it dangerous for trucks and other vehicles to travel.

He said that many vehicles had accidents and were damaged due to the bad roads.

State officials said repair work on the national highway was ongoing.

Mr Vanlallungtiawia claimed that although the State government and companies were currently repairing the roads, the work was progressing at a snail’s pace.

He said MTA and JAC have requested the State government and NHIDCL to expedite repair work as the winter season approaches.

“Repair work is progressing slowly and if it continues at this rate, authorities will not be able to complete the work before the rainy season next year,” he said.

Mr. Vanlallungtiawia also alleged negligence on the part of NHIDCL.

“The Centre’s construction agency is not giving due importance to the roads managed by it in Mizoram,” he alleged.

Earlier, commercial vehicle operators had warned that they would not take responsibility for any untoward incident if NHIDCL did not repair the highways on time.

Mr. Vanlallungtiawia said the blockade will be held in Sairang-Vairengte and Kolasib-Bairabi areas of NH-306 from 7am on October 23 to 4pm on October 26 to put pressure on NHIDCL and the state government.

He also said that the Kawnpui-Durtlang highway, a diversion road connecting Aizawl to Kolasib, would also be closed.

He said that vehicles within the scope of emergency services will be exempt from the strike.

He added that the proposed blockade is supported by about 30 local commercial vehicle owners and operators associations in the Kolasib area.

NH-306 was repaired in July and August after being heavily damaged by rain.

Meanwhile, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Director Saizikpuii said that LPG and petrol supplies were affected by the ongoing repair works.

He said that trucks carrying essential supplies had to stop on the road for several days, waiting for repair work, which led to irregularities in the supply of gas and oil.

However, he added that no major crisis has been reported so far.