NH-2 Turns Into a Death Trap, Commuters Endure Daily Ordeal in Kangpokpi

The National Highway-2 (NH-2), a vital lifeline connecting Imphal and Dimapur and traversing through Kangpokpi District Headquarters, has become a perilous death trap, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season. The road, once a critical artery of the Trans-Asian Highway No. 1, now lies in a disgraceful state of disrepair—muddy, broken, and pockmarked with cavernous, water-filled potholes.

The worst-affected stretch lies between Kangpokpi town and Changoubung, barely a few metres from the district headquarters. Deep potholes, some resembling small ponds, have rendered the highway nearly impassable for all kinds of vehicles, especially heavily loaded trucks and passenger transport. Commuters and drivers are forced to navigate through treacherous terrain that threatens to topple vehicles, damage engines, and risk human lives.

"This portion of NH-2 has turned into a complete death trap," said M. John Thangal, a concerned citizen and social activist. "Between Alex Farm and the Kangpokpi Bridge, near the SP office, the condition is catastrophic. Canals and drains are blocked, and selfish landowners have encroached upon the system, forcing rainwater to flood the road like a stream. It’s no longer a road—it’s a river."

Recent visuals from the area tell a grim story: trucks precariously lifting off the ground on uneven terrain, waterlogged craters swallowing vehicles, and traffic coming to a grinding halt for hours on end. The stagnant rainwater not only conceals the true depth of potholes but also makes the surface dangerously slippery. Incidents of breakdowns and collisions are alarmingly frequent.

“The sheer size of the potholes can overturn loaded vehicles. The authorities remain indifferent, and the silence from all responsible quarters is deafening,” added Thangal. “The so-called landowners are more concerned about profit than public safety. Their actions are contributing to drainage blockage, leading to this disaster.”

Local residents and daily commuters have been vocal in their outrage, questioning the apathy of the government and concerned departments.

“This is not just about inconvenience. It’s about life and death,” said a visibly frustrated local driver near the SP office. “Where are the authorities? Do they even exist? If nothing is done immediately, the public will be forced to take action.”

In what should have been a showcase of infrastructure under the Trans-Asian Highway network, the current condition of NH-2 between Kangpokpi and Changoubung mirrors that of a century-old dirt track navigable only by military trucks. The failure to maintain such a crucial highway is a damning indictment of governance and state responsibility.

As monsoon rains continue to batter the region, the risk to human life and the collapse of road connectivity loom large. Unless urgent and permanent intervention is initiated by the concerned authorities, NH-2 may soon become not just physically impassable, but politically explosive.