The Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, chaired a meeting convened with representatives of the North East Federation of Truck Owners and Drivers Union (NEFTOD&TU) at his office chamber on July 21st, 2026 to discuss issues concerning the restriction on the movement of heavy vehicles along NH-29 and NH-2 and other matters affecting the trucking community.
Welcoming the participants, the DC acknowledged receipt of the federation’s representation and stated that the concerns raised by the truckers were not confined to a single state or union but affected the wider region.
Recalling the cooperation extended by the trucking community during interstate disruptions in the past, he assured that the administration would examine the issues raised through discussion and coordination.
The Deputy Commissioner also urged the truckers’ union to cooperate with the administration in addressing issues such as identification of abandoned vehicles and unnecessary honking. Referring to the ongoing construction of the Kohima bypass and the fragile condition of NH-29 and NH-2 during the monsoon season, he said the restriction on the movement of 10-wheel configuration and overloaded heavy vehicles from June to October 2026 was a temporary measure taken after deliberations during the Chief Minister’s meeting held on May 29, 2026, to ensure road safety and uninterrupted traffic movement.
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Speaking on behalf of the federation, NEFTOD&TU President expressed appreciation to the district administration for convening the meeting and appealed for a review of the restriction on heavy vehicle movement along the Kohima-Mao stretch of NH-2. He said the suspension had caused severe financial hardship to truck owners and drivers, many of whom were servicing vehicle loans, and requested the administration to consider allowing 16-wheel trucks with a maximum load of 35 metric tonnes under regulated conditions.
The federation further proposed the constitution of a joint monitoring committee comprising officials from the district administration, Police, Transport Department, NHIDCL/PWD and representatives of the union to oversee vehicle movement and weight checks. It also suggested mandatory weighing of trucks at designated weighbridges with clearance slips, strict enforcement against overloading, deployment of union representatives during weight measurement, identification of alternate routes for overloaded vehicles, and periodic updates from NHIDCL on the progress of bridge repairs with a definite timeline for restoration of normal traffic.
The federation also suggested monitoring vehicle loads at the Dimapur weighbridge and requested that restrictions remain time-bound to minimise disruption to the transport of essential commodities and trade.
