• EE inspects damaged NH-02 stretch; Alternate link road not yet motorable
• Tuli cut off from both sides; Mobile network restoration underway

A major portion of NH-02 between Chuchuyimlang and Unger village in Mokokchung district has been severely damaged due to continuous rainfall, with a section of the highway sinking, developing large cracks and breaking apart as the hillside continues to give way. The ongoing landslide has rendered the road impassable, completely disrupting vehicular movement.

The road closure has affected connectivity for residents of Akhoya, Changtongya, Merangkong, Kangtsung and neighbouring villages travelling towards Tuli. Likewise, commuters from the Tuli side are unable to reach Mokokchung via Unger, Chuchuyimlang, Mongsenyimti and Yisemyong.

With the road rendered impassable, residents are facing immense hardship as vehicles can no longer pass through the affected stretch. The damaged highway has not only cut off access for residents of Chuchuyimlang, Unger and nearby villages to Mokokchung town, but has also disrupted travel from Mokokchung to Tuli and onward to Dimapur and Assam via the Amguri road.

The road serves as a crucial lifeline for commuters and transport services. It may be noted that all night bus services operating between Mokokchung and Dimapur use this route via the Amguri road. The disruption is expected to severely affect the movement of passengers, essential supplies and emergency services.

Residents expressed concern over the situation, stating that emergency travel to Mokokchung town, located only about 20 to 24 kilometres from the affected stretch, has become nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Chuchuyimlang Village Council informed that there is an approximately 2-kilometre kutcha link road between Chuchuyimlang and Unger on the eastern side of NH-02. He said the road is currently in poor condition and requires urgent renovation before it can be made suitable for regular vehicular traffic.

According to the Chairman, after crossing Chuchuyimlang on NH-02, there is a junction leading to Unger and Kelingmen villages, from where the old kutcha road branches off and reconnects to Unger, bypassing the damaged section of the highway. He said the road could serve as a temporary alternative route if renovated.

The Chairman further informed that the Chuchuyimlang and Unger Village Councils had already been planning to renovate the old link road, subject to the availability of financial assistance. However, before the proposed work could be taken up, the road collapse occurred, making the need for its restoration more urgent.

As the highway remains cut off, Alino Night Bus Service informed that almost all night bus services operating from Mokokchung have been cancelled until further notice.

The operator stated that the alternate route via Longjang–Kelingmen–Tuli is also not feasible as flooding continues in Tuli and Amguri. The Doyang route is also inaccessible stating that several  landslide is reported.

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Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, said the district administration is coordinating with the concerned departments as landslides have been reported from multiple locations.

He informed that while floodwaters in Tuli are gradually receding, road blockage caused by the NH-02 landslide remains a major concern and restoration is taking time. He said PWD (NH), in coordination with the district administration, is working round the clock to restore connectivity.

Er. Lima Executive Engineer NH along with SDO, JE and Village councils of Chuchuyimlang and Unger at the site

The DC further stated that Tuli subdivision has been cut off from both sides. Efforts are underway to clear road blockages and restore mobile network connectivity, while reports of fresh landslide-affected locations are being collected and verified through area administrative officers.

Meanwhile, Executive Engineer, PWD (National Highways), Er. Lima Longkumer, along with the Sub-Divisional Officer, Junior Engineer and representatives of the Chuchuyimlang and Unger Village Councils, inspected the damaged highway and the proposed alternate route.

Following the inspection, Er. Longkumer informed that the approximately 2-kilometre kutcha link road is presently not motorable and requires maintenance before it can be used as an alternative route. He said the road is not presently feasible even for regular light and medium vehicles.

He informed that the department will submit an inspection report to the Chief Engineer’s Office and the Regional Office in Guwahati seeking necessary directions regarding maintenance of the link road. Further action will depend on approval from the higher authorities.

He added that the department has deployed a backhoe loader (JCB) to continue clearance operations on the affected stretch of NH-02.