Locals of Rong village in Illam have been agitated over the increased risk of accidents on Mechi Highway due to the ongoing optical fibre laying work. Locals have stated that due to the cables and other materials piled on the road, risk of accident has increased. They have also accused the contractors of working very slowly.Work is currently underway to lay optical fibres in Ward 3 and 4 of Rong Rural Municipality from Jorkashal to Kuttidanda.

The Rong Rural Municipality Pahari Village Ilam Struggle Committee began the agitation by obstructing the work on 4 January and also submitted a five point memorandum to the administration demanding to stop neglect in the work. The memorandum stipulates that the bodies concerned should come immediately for talks, that the dilapidated road should be reconstructed as before, that new technology should be used to do quality work, that the dilapidated road structure should be constructed and that the permit agreement should be made public.