There seems to be no viable solution in sight to mitigate
the persistent danger of rock falls between the Chathe and Khoukhi bridges
along National Highway-29 in Chümoukedima district. The agencies overseeing the
construction of this crucial four-lane road have either failed to follow safety
protocols or have not adequately addressed the risks. The recurrence of tragic
incidents in this dangerous stretch, particularly in the Pagala Pahar area,
underscores this issue. Last week, one person was killed when a large boulder
struck the dumper truck he was driving. A similar tragedy occurred in 2023,
resulting in the death of two persons and causing injuries to three others.
Instead of taking responsibility, the Infrastructure Development Corporation
Limited (NHIDCL), the implementing agency for this ambitious project, dismissed
the incident as a natural calamity without first conducting a proper
investigation or assessing whether the contractors had adhered to safety
standards, triggering public outrage and backlash from the government of
Nagaland. The fact is that ever since the road was opened to traffic, mud and
stones have continually fallen, rendering one side of the road completely
unusable year-round, not just during the rainy season. Debris scattered across
the road, steep cuttings, and protruding rocks clearly indicate that this road
is far from safe.
Following pressure from the state government and the public
to implement preventive measures, the NHIDCL has begun installing slope
barriers to prevent debris from obstructing traffic and endangering lives.
However, these efforts seem to be too little, too late given the significant
disruption caused to the topography, including rocks. It may be mentioned that
the Nagaland Pollution Control Board had repeatedly warned the NHIDCL against
using dynamite for blasting rocks along National Highway-29, citing potential
environmental destruction. Meanwhile, the Chümoukedima DC sought verification
of the work quality, but these concerns fell on deaf ears, as evidenced by the
current situation. Ultimately, it is the ordinary travellers who bear the risk
of becoming victims of these man-made disasters. The NHIDCL must take
accountability and rectify its oversights by prioritising safety. Temporary
measures that compromise public safety will prove costly. What is needed are
concrete actions, including bench cutting to reduce the risk of rockslides.
Slope barriers alone cannot prevent large rocks from falling. The centre-owned
firm should conduct a comprehensive survey of the entire stretches of NH-29 and
NH-02 to ensure commuters’ safety.
