October 14, 2018: Serenity of Jampui Hills may have a hypnotic call for the tourists but it is also turning increasingly dangerous to reach the lush green hills for an interested traveler.
The State Government has accorded priority in developing the Tourism sector in the State and as part of the initiatives Kanchanpur to Jampui Road (NH44A) was renovated prior to rainy season.
“However apathy of the concerned authorities in maintaining the road has made the journey for tourists as well as commuters risky and unsafe”, said general secretary of Jampui Mizo Convention Dr Zairemthiama Pachuau.
A team of the Mizo Convention Investigative freelance Photojournalists led by David Ralte revealed potentially unsafe condition of the road. The team found that at many places, retaining wall was damaged or broken. As a result, top soils from the hills slithered down to the road after a spell of rains making the road narrow and precarious.
“Retaining wall is supposed to save the road from normal landslips – but with damaged and broken retaining wall, soils in heaps block portion of the road and drivers have to maneuver through the narrow path- increasing the chances of serious accidents at anytime”, said Dr Pachuau and added, reason behind damaged retaining wall is also a matter of great concern.
“A section of local inhabitants are involved in illegally extracting bricks and concrete chips to earn a livelihood. Soon, retaining walls at many places vanish leaving the soil vulnerable to landslips”, Dr Pachuau said.
Another factor preventing to have a joyous ride is growing jungles along the roadside. After rainy season, jungles are growing and narrowing the visibility – increasing risks of head-on collision, especially at turns. The investigative team found that at many places, soil erosion had blocked portion of the road as well as jungles were posing additional challenges. No action was taken to clear the jungles.
Dr Pachuau alleged, issues were raised before the erstwhile SDM Sajal Biswas, but nothing positive happened and illegal quarrying remained unabated. Also, PWD and Police were informed about stealing of bricks and chips – they also reportedly turned a blind eye to the pressing issue.
Recently, Dr Pachuau met SDM Abhedananda Baidya and urged intervention of the administration in ending the rampant practice of illegal quarrying. With the findings of Mizo Convention Team, it is obvious, unless concerned authorities shun their lethargic approach in dealing with factors, which are affecting the prospects of tourism, initiative of the State Government to develop tourism in the State will remain a distant goal.
