It has been two weeks since construction work came to a standstill for Irene Lalnunpuii and her husband, who are building a bed and breakfast near Lengpui Airport. “We had no choice but to halt our work,” Irene said, explaining that the deteriorating condition of the roads and the consequent rise in construction costs have made it impossible to continue.
This is not an isolated case. Mizoram is currently facing a cascading crisis, with key national highways — NH 306 and NH 06 — in severe disrepair. The situation has sparked statewide disruptions, with fuel shortages, construction delays, and essential commodities like milk becoming scarce.
The condition of these roads, particularly since July, has become a matter of public outcry.
What began with protests by the Mizoram Tipper Association led to a major development when the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union (NEPMU) announced on July 31 that they would suspend all fuel loading and unloading for Mizoram, citing the risk of serious accidents for oil tanker crews.
Though NEPMU later withdrew their suspension, the warning had already sent shockwaves through the state’s supply chain.
The consequences have been stark. A sharp rise in the price of construction materials has left projects in limbo. Irene highlighted that cement bags, which previously cost ₹500–₹520, are now priced at ₹700 or more — a considerable increase that significantly impacts bulk purchases and long-term projects.
Beyond construction, milk shortages have become another serious concern. Bakeries and households are scrambling for basic ingredients.
Jacqueline Zote, owner of the newly opened bakery The Donut Man in Aizawl, said, “Somehow we are managing for now, but it is very hard to look for supplies. We couldn’t find milk and had to get it sent from Kolasib (77 km from Aizawl). There’s a heavy markup, but it’s better than shutting down completely. Even butter is hard to find.”
Parents are also feeling the pressure. Lalthanpuii, a mother of two boys, said her family searched across Aizawl and even in nearby villages like Sihphir (44 minutes from the city) to find milk, and were finally able to locate some locally produced milk to get by. “We were desperate. It’s a daily necessity for our children,” she said.
Political leaders have not stayed silent. Pu J. Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng, Vice Chairman of the MNF Publicity Board, told EastMojo, “Aizawl has now reached a point where having milk in tea, coffee, or for feeding infants has become a rare luxury. The government’s failure to repair the roads during the dry season is gross negligence. It is beyond comprehension.”
He also pointed out that the Road Maintenance Cess collected till June this year amounts to ₹25,54,57,771, questioning how the government, despite having such funds, allowed public suffering to reach this level.
Vanchhawng also shared concerns about the broader economy. “For the past seven months, Mizoram’s GST collection has been falling,” he said, adding that the economic repercussions of this infrastructure crisis are already visible.
In the midst of rising pressure, a Joint Committee comprising several transport-related associations — including the Earth Movers Union, ZDU, MTOA, MTA, Mizoram Commercial Tippers Association, Fak Hlawh lo Valrual, 407 Association, and the Tanker Association — conducted a field inspection of the ongoing repairs.
Led by Robert Lalrinawma, Chief Convener of Lirtheia Eizawng Pawl, the committee expressed disappointment, saying that the repair work was not up to standard and could be damaged again within a day.
While the government had earlier stated that repairs would be completed by August 7, with vehicles allowed to ply by August 8 and 9, the Joint Committee recommended that work should continue until August 9, prioritizing quality over haste to prevent further damage.
Yesterday, the government distributed food supplies to stranded truck drivers stuck along NH 306 and NH 06 as a temporary relief measure.
The worst-affected areas along the highways include Rengtetlangsang, Bilkhawtlir, Bualpui, Kawnpui, and Khamrang, where stranded drivers and broken supply chains reflect the broader state crisis.
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