KMC warns state government that worsening land sinking in Kohima, specifically near High School colony and the IG Stadium road, may disrupt city waste management and public safety.
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KOHIMA — Members of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) have urged the state government to immediately address the land sinking areas near High School colony and the IG Stadium road, warning that failure to act could lead to a breakdown of the city’s waste management system.
They stated that the route via High School colony is critical as it connects to the state capital’s landfill site. However, due to the ongoing land sinking in the area, sanitation vehicles have been rerouted through IG Stadium road, which is also experiencing signs of sinking.
Pointing out that all KMC and ward-level sanitation vehicles use these two routes daily to access the landfill, they warned that if both become unusable, the entire waste management system will collapse.
Councillors inspect disaster-hit areas
On Wednesday morning, a KMC team led by Chairman Neikhozo Soukhrie and Deputy Chairman Khrielievi Chüsi conducted an inspection of areas in Kohima affected by natural disasters.
The team assessed landslide-hit zones, dysfunctional drainage systems contributing to waterlogging, and identified sinking zones across the town.
The inspection covered the collapsed wall at PHQ, the drainage system at Box-Cutting (which causes water overflow during heavy rain), the Phoolbari drainage system affecting nearby shopkeepers, the overbridge at Razhu Point, the collapsed retaining wall at Bayavü colony, and the high-risk sinking area at High School colony.
Chairman Soukhrie said that a report will be submitted to the government detailing the damages and affected parties.
During the visit to PHQ, where a wall collapse also damaged three vehicles, Ward-19 councillor Medoviu Martin Suohu informed the media that PHQ officials, the chief engineer, and the IG had visited the site.
He said that repairs would begin once paperwork is completed. Regarding the damaged vehicles, PHQ reportedly assured to consider compensation depending on insurance documentation.
Footbridge at Razhu Point raises concern
Speaking about the controversial footbridge at Razhu Point, Deputy Chairman Khrielievi Chüsi clarified that KMC does not support its current condition.
Instead of aiding pedestrians, the bridge has turned into a hub for ‘night business’ and illegal activities, he said.
Addressing a recent YouTube video on the issue, he explained that the stairs were temporarily dismantled to allow trucks to access the nearby Nagaland Cooperative Society building under construction. Once construction is complete, the staircase will be rebuilt.
He admitted that the bridge has become unusable and added that while KMC occasionally inspects and cleans the area, they do not have resources to monitor it 24x7 or assign full-time cleaning staff.
On the makeshift shop beneath the bridge, he clarified that the land was donated by the society and is not government or NH property. Plans to regulate usage will be initiated once the construction work concludes, he said.
Vendors and footpath usage
On the issue of footpath vendors, Chüsi said the KMC collects a nominal fee of INR 40–50 for sanitation, as KMC staff clean the area every morning.
He noted that a proper vegetable market is under development. However, most footpath vendors are widows or women in need, and KMC has allowed them to operate on humanitarian grounds until a permanent solution is implemented.