The National People’s Party (NPP), Nagaland has expressed deep concern over the recurring rockfalls, landslides, and road collapses along the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane highway (NH-29), particularly during the monsoon season, which has resulted in multiple fatalities and severe damage to property.
In a press release issued today, the NPP Nagaland State Unit stated that several vulnerable stretches—particularly Pagala Pahar, the KMC dumping site area and Kisama—continue to suffer from stonefalls, sinking zones and road collapses, resulting in accidents and fatalities.
It said while construction and maintenance works are ongoing, the absence of scientific slope stabilisation, robust drainage, and preventive engineering solutions continues to pose a grave risk to commuters.
Stating that there have been reports of multiple fatal rockfall incidents and several injuries along the NH 29 Dimapur-Kohima corridor in the past few years, the NPP called on the Government to publish authenticated, year wise casualty data to avoid ambiguity and ensure accountability.
Citing the fatal rockfall incident at Pagala Pahar on May 30, the party said the incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, science based, long term safety measures. Temporary fixes such as traffic diversions and limited rockfall barriers have clearly been insufficient during periods of intense rainfall, it added.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
In this regard, the party submitted a memorandum to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Guwahati Regional Office and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India highlighting the urgent need for permanent slope stabilization and debris control systems; district level monitoring and reporting mechanisms; community safety education and signage enhancement; and inclusion of local geotechnical expertise in project planning.
The NPP urged the NHIDCL and MoRTH to immediately prioritise permanent slope protection, advanced rockfall barriers/nets, and early warning systems, including real time monitoring and public alert mechanisms.
It also urged for comprehensive safety audits and continuous maintenance of all vulnerable stretches, with focused attention on Pagala (Pakala) Pahar, Pherima, and Chümoukedima.
Demanding for enhanced safety infrastructure, the NPP said visible caution signage, speed regulation, properly marked escape bays/lay-bys, and rapid emergency response mechanisms along the highway should be installed.
It also urged for public disclosure of a time bound action plan and a live progress dashboard, so that citizens can track mitigation works, closures, diversions, and safety interventions in real time.
The party further called upon the Monitoring Mechanism established by the Nagaland Government to constantly supervise work progress and ensure timely rectifications, so that no lapse or complacency by implementing agencies jeopardises public safety.
The NPP emphasized that the lives and safety of commuters cannot be compromised due to construction deficiencies or inadequate preventive measures.
It extended solidarity with the affected families and reaffirmed its commitment to pursue this issue with all concerned authorities—State and Central—until sustainable, lasting solutions are implemented.
