Deputy Chief Minister, T.R. Zeliang, Minister in-charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highway convened a meeting to discuss on issues related to the road sector in the State. The meeting was held at Chief Secretary’s Conference Room, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on 11th September 2024 and was attended by the Chief Secretary, Engineer-in-Chief NPWD, Chief Engineer PWD (NH), Chief Engineer PWD (R&B), Executive Director (RO Kohima) NHIDCL and Project Sewak (BRO) representative.
The Deputy Chief Minister taking serious cognizance of the condition of roads in the State marred by incessant rains and other natural causes, called upon the implementing agencies to sincerely work to restore the damages and ensure smooth flow of traffic. On the stretches under NHIDCL, particularly NH-29 4 Lane road and NH-02 which has been continuously effected by landslide/mudslide and sinking, NHIDCL has assured that smooth 2-way traffic would be ready by the end of October. In Pagla pahar, where major portion of the highway has been swept away by the river, NHIDCL presented short term goal to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic. As for the long term plan, to ensure that no similar incident takes place due to the current of the river, the ED suggested that course of the river may be diverted. In this regard the Dy. CM asked NHIDCL to write to DC Chümoukedima for necessary clearance. The Chief Secretary noted that NHIDCL should not utilize blasting while carrying out this work as it would again destabilize the areas around it.
In areas under Pherima and Piphema, the Chief Secretary directed NHIDCL to ensure that debris from land/mudslide is not piled up on the side of the road blocking the scenic view of the valley.
On the Dzudza landslide, NHIDCL has requested the State Government to close the traffic for a week as progress of restoration work is being hampered. In this regard, they have been suggested to coordinate with the District Administration and workout a timeline so that work is not hampered and commuters are not affected.
Coming to landslide and sinking portions in the NH-02, NHIDCL has assured that restoration works would be completed within October as Contractor has been engaged and it will be monitored and works expedited.
On the fresh landslide in NH-29 near KMC Old dumping site, which is under NPWD (NH), the Engineer in Chief and Chief Engineer (NH) assured that the road would be open by evening of 11th September 2024. Further, the State National Highway Department lamented that due to non-availability of funds for emergency and maintenance works, the department is unable to respond promptly in various National highways in the State. The Dy. CM and Commissioner & Secretary (W&H) have asked the department to put up proposal for additional fund to be kept in the various divisions for emergency works and also proposal for maintaining the NH-29 given the importance of the Highway.
On the matter of by-pass roads which are utilized when NH-29 is affected, Chief Engineer NPWD (R&B) presented seven different by-pass roads at various locations. The Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Secretary stressed on the fact that given the uncertain state of NH-29, the maintenance of by-pass roads are most important and should be taken on priority. Chief Engineer (R&B) briefed the gathering that sincere efforts are being undertaken as short term plan while as long term plan, proposals for expansion and blacktopping of these roads are being prepared and sent to Ministry for sanction.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that though it is not in the hands of the department to control the natural causes, yet as implementing agencies, it is the prerogative of each agency to ensure that public is not made to undergo untold inconvenience. If all the agencies work in tandem and better coordination with each other despite the natural forces, we can positively impact and ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
