On seeing the present condition of NH-29, the lifeline of Kohima to Dimapur, Advisor for Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L. Imchen suggested two-lane road from Kohima to Dimapur via Jotsoma.
Speaking during the half an hour discussion under Rule-48 on Day-1 of the Fifth Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Imchen also suggested that a tunnel be constructed from Chümoukedima Check Gate to Medziphema in order to avoid Landslides and rockfall on that particular area. He opined that good riding quality road between Kohima and Dimapur should constructed on special dispensation mode under the initiative of the Leader of the House and the Minister-in-charge.
The Advisor also mentioned the delay in construction of Foothill Road from Tizit to Khelma though the Leader of the House had already presented the earmarked amount in the last budget. =
Supplementing the concern raised by Imchen, Advisor for Printing & Stationery and Prisons, Er. Kropol Vitsu said that landslides, rockfalls and subsidence occur every year on NH-29 between Kohima to Dimapur especially the Pakala Pahar area during the monsoon season. Therefore, he also strongly advocated the construction of tunnel from Chümoukedima to Medziphema so as to avert any eventuality between this stretch.
Vitsu blamed the NHIDCL for not maintaining the roads properly thereby causing hardships and inconveniences for the commuters. He also said the road between Kohima and Piphema is vulnerable to landslide, rockfall and subsidence due to deforestation, excavation, cultivation etc. As such, he suggested Kohima-Zhadima-Niuland-Dimapur route should be permanently constructed as an all-weathered road and be used during monsoon.
While supplementing on the National Highway 29 on going work, MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu said the agreement with the NHIDC has taken two weeks to clear the debris from the recent land slide at Dzüdza. He also added that the NHIDCL has misled the House by showing their lack of seriousness and said the government should take the matter seriously as it was a criminal negligent and stated that the government should file a criminal case against NHIDCL or be given to the CBI for investigation.
Joining on discussion on landslide and rockfall, Minister for National Highways, T.R Zeliang stated that the Government is in constant touch with the authority to ensure that road is open at the earliest possible time. On the issue of alternative road from Kohima- Zhadima-Niuland-Dimapur, he informed that the road construction under package 2 and 3 have already completed but the road under package 1 is yet to be constructed due to the land compensation. However, he said that the Government is taking all necessary measures to have an understanding so that the remaining portion of the road is constructed at the earliest possible time paving an alternative road to solve the issue face by the commuters.
