Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, accompanied by officials, on Monday visited the landslide-affected areas of Kezanu, Jotsoma village, and Liezocha to assess ongoing damages and review measures to restore road connectivity.
Briefing the media after the inspection, Zeliang said that he and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had earlier visited the site and decided to acquire a stretch of land measuring around 50 meters in width and 250 meters in length for diversion works. He informed that assessment for land acquisition is underway and payments would be made after approval by the State Land Acquisition Authority. The State Government has already sanctioned ₹4 crore for emergency work to divert the affected 250-meter portion.
Regarding the recent developments near Kegwüzha/Liezocha, Kezanu, and Kimho, Zeliang said he had discussed the situation with the Regional Office (RO) in Guwahati, which advised the preparation of a new estimate for submission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for fresh sanction. “The technical team will prepare the estimate and send it to Guwahati, which will then take it up with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways ( MoRTH),” he explained.
The Deputy CM also said discussions are ongoing with landowners and the village council regarding the sinking reported near Liezocha, close to the old KMC dumping site, a known problem area. He assured that payments would be made to landowners but urged their cooperation in making the land available for diversion works.
Zeliang further revealed that MoRTH has sanctioned blacktopping of the road from JN Junction to Lerie Junction, covering a 12.6 km stretch of NH-29, with tendering now in its final stage. In addition, the ministry has approved a special repair fund of ₹2 crore for immediate works, while the State Government has separately sanctioned funds for diversion of the 250-meter affected section.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, Zeliang said three major works are currently underway—the NH-29 blacktopping project (12.6 km); special repair works sanctioned by the Centre; and emergency diversion works funded by the State Government.
However, he cautioned that permanent construction cannot be undertaken on sinking stretches because the entire hill slope remains unstable. He said that the state had proposed alternative bypass routes to MoRTH.
To address the recurring problem, Zeliang said the State has proposed alternative bypass routes to MoRTH. Two options are being prepared–the Niuland–Zhadima bypass, where past landowner disputes have now been resolved; and a second route from Peducha, where the terrain was stable without sinking.
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The government will also propose shifting the alignment of the Kohima bypass, currently under construction, so that it begins from Phezhu instead of Jotsoma. “Once these bypasses are completed, commuters will not face the same difficulties in the future,” Zeliang assured.
Zeliang mentioned that the sinking problem is not a new thing especially at KMC old dumping site and it is a recurring issue.
“This is not a man-made calamity but a natural one, and the only permanent solution is to avoid the sinking portion by creating bypasses,” he stated.
He added that the contractor for the road project would be required to maintain the road for one-and-a-half years under the defect liability period. He said regular reports are being sent to the Centre, along with proposals to declare the alternative bypasses as national highways.
Zeliang further said that diversion would be carried out by cutting into the hillside, constructing breast walls, and constructing drainage with reinforced cement concrete (RCC) to prevent water flowing to the roads.
