Apathy to Action- Making Geotechnical Investigation Mandatory in Nagaland

With disasters, both natural and man-made, particularly landslides, mudslides and rock falls repeatedly disrupting road connectivity almost every year, besides endangering human lives, the government of Nagaland seems to have finally come to the realisation that simply acknowledging an existing problem and announcing quick fixes only to see cracks after a heavy rain is not enough and that a proactive approach with inputs from experts is indispensable for tackling the challenges posed by difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions. This realisation was reflected in Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s announcement on Tuesday that geotechnical investigation must be made a precondition for the initiation of any infrastructure development, be it roads, bridges or homes. Citing the state’s complex and unstable geology, he has asked the government departments and urban local bodies to scrutinise all permit applications and make soil stability reports mandatory for implementation of any developmental project in the state henceforth. He went on to ask the concerned authorities to take stringent action on violators, including stop-work orders and demolition of unsafe structures. This is no doubt a much-needed move for a disaster-prone state like Nagaland, a move that can enhance safety and increase infrastructure lifespan significantly. Now, all eyes will be on the implementation front, an area for which the state is notorious.

Geotechnical investigation is the process of assessing subsurface conditions of a site, providing vital information about the physical properties of soil, earthworks and other aspects essential for making an informed decision on design, slope stability, etc. It is particularly essential in regions with complex geology to avoid dream projects turning into nightmares. In 2023, an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand, trapping 41 workers, while Joshimath has become inhabitable due to land subsidence, which experts have attributed to alleged uncontrolled development. The frequent rock falls at Chumoukedima along the ambitious, delayed National Highway-29, which has killed at least three people over the past two years, too have been linked to “reckless use of dynamite” for blasting the rocks during road cutting in the stretch. Hill areas like Northeast India require a significant boost to infrastructure after decades of neglect, particularly road connectivity, but not at the cost of safety and destroying its ecology. Given the state's fragile topography, it is essential to incorporate experts’ inputs and conduct a thorough geological study of development sites before commencing any project. This is applicable to all ecologically sensitive zones. As Nagaland is situated in Seismic Zone V, the most earthquake-prone zone, as well as vulnerable to natural calamities like landslides and flash floods, strict enforcement of building bye-laws is pertinent for mitigating risks to human life and destruction of property.