Manipur: NH-2 turns into a death trap, commuters endure daily ordeal in Kangpokpi

The National Highway-2 (NH-2), a lifeline connecting Imphal and Dimapur through Kangpokpi district headquarters, has deteriorated into a treacherous death trap, particularly in the face of relentless monsoon rains. 

Once a part of the prestigious Trans-Asian Highway No. 1, the highway now lies in shambles—mud-caked, broken, and riddled with giant, waterlogged potholes that have made daily travel a nightmare.

The most dangerous stretch, between Kangpokpi town and Changoubung, lies just metres from the district headquarters. Cavernous potholes—some resembling shallow ponds—threaten vehicles of all kinds, especially heavily loaded trucks and passenger carriers. Commuters now face a daily gamble with life and property, with damaged engines, skidding tires, and toppled vehicles becoming alarmingly common.

“This portion of NH-2 has turned into a complete death trap,” said M. John Thangal, a social activist and local resident. “Between Alex Farm and the Kangpokpi Bridge near the SP office, the condition is catastrophic. Blocked drains, unregulated encroachment, and complete administrative neglect have converted this highway into a running stream.”

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Locals report that canal systems have been blocked due to unchecked encroachment by nearby landowners. As a result, rainwater floods the road unabated, turning the highway into a virtual riverbed. Videos and images from the area paint a dire picture—trucks dangerously tilted on uneven ground, vehicles submerged in water-filled craters, and hour-long traffic snarls.

“The potholes are big enough to overturn trucks. It's a miracle there haven’t been more fatalities already,” Thangal added. “The silence of the authorities is criminal. Landowners are prioritising profits over public safety, directly contributing to this disaster.”

Frustration is mounting among residents and commuters. “This is not just poor road condition—it’s criminal negligence,” said a local driver, drenched in rain near the SP office. “If the authorities do not act, we the people will be forced to take matters into our own hands.”

NH-2, which should stand as a symbol of connectivity under the Trans-Asian Highway framework, now resembles a war-torn dirt trail. Its current condition not only disrupts daily life but threatens to isolate entire communities if urgent action is not taken.

As the monsoon intensifies, so does the threat to life and livelihoods. If the government and relevant agencies fail to intervene with permanent solutions, NH-2 is poised to become not only a logistical disaster but a flashpoint for public unrest.