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DIMAPUR — The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has suggested diverting the course of Chathe River as part of its long-term plan to prevent the destruction of National Highway 29 as seen recently in New Chümoukedima area.
A press release on Wednesday informed that the executive director (RO Kohima) of NHIDCL shared this during a meeting convened in Kohima by Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who is also in charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highway.
In response, the deputy chief minister directed the ED to write to the deputy commissioner of Chümoukedima for necessary clearance. “The chief secretary noted that NHIDCL should not utilise blasting while carrying out this work as it would again destabilise the areas around it”, the press release stated.
Also, the NHIDCL assured that smooth 2-way traffic on both NH 29 and NH 2 (Kohima to Mao) would be ready by the end of October. “In areas under Pherima and Piphema, the chief secretary directed NHIDCL to ensure that debris from land/mudslide is not piled up on the side of the road blocking the scenic view of the valley.
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“On the Dzüdza landslide, NHIDCL has requested the state government to close the traffic for a week as progress of restoration work is being hampered. In this regard, they have been suggested to co-ordinate with the district administration and work out a timeline so that work is not hampered and commuters are not affected,” it informed.
According to NHIDCL, restoration works on NH 2 would be completed by October. “On the fresh landslide on NH 29 near KMC old dumping site, which is under NPWD (NH), the engineer-in-chief and chief engineer (NH) assured that the road would be open by evening of September 11.
“Further, the State National Highway Department lamented that due to non-availability of funds for emergency and maintenance works, the department is unable to respond promptly in various national highways in the State. The Dy CM and Commissioner & Secretary (W&H) have asked the department to put up proposal for additional fund to be kept in the various divisions for emergency works and also proposal for maintaining the NH 29 given the importance of the highway,” it stated.
On the matter of by-pass roads that are utilised when NH 29 is affected, the chief engineer of NPWD (R&B) presented 7 different by-pass roads at various locations. The deputy chief minister and chief secretary stressed “on the fact that given the uncertain state of NH 29, the maintenance of by-pass roads are most important and should be taken on priority”.
According to the chief engineer (R&B), sincere efforts are being undertaken as short-term plan, “while as long term-plan, proposals for expansion and blacktopping of these roads are being prepared and sent to Ministry for sanction”.
Zeliang had convened the meeting “to discuss issues related to the road sector in the state.” It was attended by the chief secretary, engineer-in-chief NPWD, chief engineer PWD (NH), chief engineer PWD (R&B), executive director (RO Kohima) NHIDCL, and Project Sewak (BRO) representative.
“Deputy Chief Minister taking serious cognisance of the condition of roads in the state marred by incessant rains and other natural causes, called upon the implementing agencies to sincerely work to restore the damages and ensure smooth flow of traffic.
“The deputy chief minister stated that though it is not in the hands of the department to control the natural causes, yet as implementing agencies, it is the prerogative of each agency to ensure that the public is not made to undergo untold inconvenience,” it stated.