In a bid to clear the criticisms against the Nagaland Government and the Highway Department for not clearing the landslide from National Highway 29 at Sechü-Zubza area under Kohima district, the Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, in charge of PWD (National Highways), has asserted that the Nagaland Government is “neither complacent nor idle to plight of the people”.
The statement from the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister said that “all possible means will be explored relentlessly so that people of the State and neighboring states in general is not inconvenient any further due to this blocked highway.”
Zeliang informed that since the massive landslide occurred, the State Government has been in constant touch with the NHIDCL and that the State machineries, from Administration to National Highway Department have lent support in every way possible to assist in expediting the work to open the highway for traffic.
He stated that a team from District Administration, Geology & Mining Dept. and NPWD visited the site on 2oth August 2024 to understand the landslide from the geological perspective and to find solution to stop the mud slide from top of the hill and accelerate the clearance work below. A meeting along with the Contractor was also held on the same day wherein a clear direction was given that clearing of debris should be of highest priority and to engage all available machinery at the site, he added.
The Deputy CM stated that sensing the slow work progress, the NHIDCL along with the contractor were called for a meeting in the Conference room of Chief Secretary on 26th August, under the Chairmanship of the Development Commissioner which uncovered misunderstandings between the EPC Contractor and NHIDCL with regards to the scope of work.
Zeliang informed that the department of Geology and Mining had opined that “water has to be drained from the top using a muck pump and diverted to the river so as to minimize and stop the water from further carrying the mud down to the highway. They also observed that the stone quarry above the area could be triggering the landslide. NHIDCL has been asked to take note of the observation and promptly work on it to solve the problem.”
He stated that taking serious cognizance of the lackadaisical attitude of NHIDCL and also the Contractor, the State Government, through the Works & Housing Department, issued a deadline of 72 hours to the NHIDCL to clear and open the NH 29 for regular traffic. In case of failure on the part of implementing agency, the State Government will employ required machinery and manpower to open the Highway and the bills on expenditure incurred for the same will be submitted to NHIDCL for payment, he informed.
Read more: Nagaland Govt gives NHIDCL 72 hrs to clear landslide debris, open Dimapur-Kohima Road
This arrangement is necessitated as the public cannot be left to suffer because of dereliction and negligence of the NHIDCL, Zeliang informed while affirming that the “State Government, in all seriousness has always prioritized the convenience and safety of public” and assured that it will be sincere in its effort to alleviate the pain of the people.
