The district administrations of Tuensang and Longleng have issued fresh travel advisories in view of continuing land subsidence, landslides and unstable road conditions caused by persistent monsoon rains, imposing restrictions on heavy vehicles and cautioning commuters against unnecessary travel.

Heavy vehicles barred on sinking NH-202 stretch in Tuensang

Deputy Commissioner Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa has prohibited the movement of all heavy vehicles along NH-202 at Chainage Km 98 near the IOC Petrol Pump in Tuensang, where the highway has sunk and been completely cut off due to continuous land subsidence and landslides.

According to the advisory, the alternate diversion route passing adjacent to the IOC Petrol Pump has also started sinking. A technical assessment by the PWD (National Highways) found that the movement of heavy vehicles is accelerating the deterioration of the diversion route, posing a serious threat to public safety, vehicular movement and critical infrastructure.

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To prevent further damage, the district administration has ordered:

• Restriction on the movement of all heavy vehicles along the affected NH-202 stretch until further orders.
• Permission for only Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), ambulances, fire and emergency service vehicles, police vehicles and other essential emergency vehicles to use the diversion route, subject to strict regulation and safety clearance.
• All heavy vehicles have been directed to arrange transshipment of goods at the ISBT (Chainage Km 87).
• Violators will face action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other applicable laws.

The order has come into immediate effect and will remain in force until further notification.

Longleng restores key routes, imposes night travel restrictions

Meanwhile, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Longleng, has informed that the Tangha-Kangching-Tamlu-Merangkong-Dimapur route has been restored and reopened for Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) traffic.

The administration also announced that the Changtongya-Dikhu section of NH-702 (Package-I) has been made motorable and reopened for LMVs.

However, citing continued risks from rockfalls, landslides and slope instability, the administration has prohibited vehicular movement on the Changtongya-Dikhu stretch of NH-702 between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. until further orders.

The district administration has advised commuters to travel only when absolutely necessary, remain alert while passing through vulnerable stretches, and avoid travelling during heavy rainfall or poor visibility.

The advisory would remain in force until further orders.