Much to the relief of the people of Vijaynagar circle in Changlang district, the 157 km Miao-Vijaynagar (MV) road has been restored. This road was heavily damaged during the monsoon rains, but it can now only be used by 4×4 light motor vehicles (LMVs). The rural works department (RWD) deserves appreciation for clearing the MV road. This stretch has been handed over to the highway department and will be covered under the Frontier Highway project. The MV road is strategically very important for the country, and it is unfair to deny people basic rights to roads and electricity.
Now that the highway department will be upgrading the MV road as part of the Frontier Highway project, they should learn from past mistakes and ensure that a proper road is constructed. A large section of this road passes through Namdapha National Park, which imposes many restrictions. Additionally, the area itself presents significant challenges for road construction. New technologies will need to be employed while constructing the two-lane highways. The road should be built to last and effectively serve the local people. With rain expected in the coming days, it will be a challenge for the RWD to keep this road open for traffic. However, in the interest of the people of Vijaynagar circle, every effort should be made to keep the MV road open for motorists.