Kohima–Mao road restoration at Phesama delayed by rain; contractor assures early completion

PHESAMA — Restoration efforts on the sunken stretch of National Highway 2 at Phesama, near the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, continue to face significant delays due to persistent rainfall and unstable soil conditions.

Despite the challenges, the contractor and workers engaged by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) are working round the clock in a bid to reopen the route at the earliest.

The affected section of NH-2, which has been fully collapsed since June 1, serves as a crucial arterial route connecting Kohima to Mao Gate and acts as a vital lifeline for commuters in Nagaland and Manipur. It also facilitates access to several educational institutions.

When Eastern Mirror visited the site on Wednesday, restoration works were actively underway. However, water undercurrents appeared to be destabilising the mud from below, making the ground susceptible to further sinking.

Workers were seen reinforcing the area by inserting locally sourced bamboo poles into the mud using excavators. Additionally, sandbags packed with mud and stones were being deployed to fill pits and secure the area against further erosion from above. Debris clearance also continued in tandem.

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The contractor told this newspaper that ‘work could have progressed sooner than this pace, but rain has been the main deterrent, causing slow progress of work.’

He shared that by June 18, the initial target was to complete slope-cutting and bring the road back to a drivable level for heavy vehicles. However, continuous rainfall had completely washed away the cut slopes and surfaces, resetting progress.

While an exact date for completion remains uncertain, the contractor assured that all necessary equipment, technical staff, and materials were on-site, and that additional machinery can be brought in if required.

“We are working on a war footing for early completion of the project. The NHIDCL, the locals—village authorities and youths—are all in coordination and working in tandem. If the weather permits, we hope to complete the restoration work at the earliest,” he said.

Meanwhile, light vehicles are being diverted via alternate routes through Phesama, Rhododendron Resort, and Kisama.

An NHIDCL official present at the site also said that no fixed timeline could be committed given the weather conditions over the past week. However, he confirmed that machines and personnel are deployed continuously to expedite the restoration.