Following widespread protests and a public interest litigation taken up by the Gauhati High Court regarding the hazardous condition of several highways in Mizoram, the state government has now sanctioned ₹1.85 crore for urgent repairs of three critical road stretches.
The decision comes in the wake of growing public dissatisfaction over deteriorating road infrastructure, which had prompted citizens and civil society groups to approach the court earlier this month. The Gauhati High Court had subsequently issued a notice to the Mizoram Public Works Department, seeking a detailed action plan to improve the condition of national and state highways in the state. In particular, the petition highlighted the dangerous state of roads such as the Aizawl-Seling, Lunglei-Saiha, and Kolasib-Bairabi stretches, where regular landslides, potholes, and road cave-ins had led to multiple accidents and severely disrupted travel and trade.
As a direct response to the mounting pressure and judicial intervention, the state government approved emergency funds on Monday for immediate repair work. According to officials in the Public Works Department, the ₹1.85 crore allocation will be distributed across three priority areas identified as most urgent following recent site inspections.
PWD engineers have already been directed to begin work on landslide clearance, slope reinforcement, and patch repairs on these routes. Temporary diversion roads and enhanced drainage systems are also part of the short-term strategy to prevent further damage during the ongoing monsoon season.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, while addressing reporters in Aizawl, said the government is committed to restoring safety and accessibility along Mizoram’s most vital road corridors. “We acknowledge the concerns raised by citizens and the court. This fund is just the beginning — we are in the process of submitting a long-term proposal for infrastructural upgrades to the Centre,” he said.
In addition to immediate repairs, the state is also preparing to submit a ₹150 crore proposal to the North Eastern Council and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for more extensive road improvements in the post-monsoon phase.
Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court has listed the matter for further hearing next month and has directed the Mizoram government to submit a progress report detailing work carried out using the sanctioned emergency funds
