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What happened on the night of September 3, following heavy rains, leading to major damage on several portions of the National Highway connecting Dimapur to Kohima, is very unfortunate.
But this is not the time to post blame game over our collapsed roads and infrastructure.
The COVID pandemic and the successful crisis management undertaken collectively by the State government and the community had demonstrated that Nagaland has the best of human resource and capability to respond and tackle the latest crisis.
We are facing an emergency situation brought about by nature’s fury and this requires a quick and coordinated response.
This is my suggestion to the Nagaland government:
1. Emergency Services Authority along the lines of the Covid War Room be mobilised immediately with relevant departments and agencies. The highest level authorities, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary should lead this.
Unlike previous natural disaster/s confined to smaller areas with lesser impact, this time the main Dimapur-Kohima National Highway will be completely cut-off for a longer period of time, going into weeks and even months.
Without going into panic-mode, it will be good to remain calm and plan both short and long term solutions.
The Emergency Services Authority / war room should focus on the following immediate needs while also to be prepared for a long and sustained effort to help tide over the crisis situation.
2. The first FOCUS GROUP with a team leader should take care of providing essential food, medicine and fuel supply.
Food and Civil Supply Department, Health and Medical Department, Transport and Communication Department along with other supporting departments and agencies should work out the best approach to ensure timely supply of essential items to the affected districts.
Instead of road transport, which will be time consuming and risky, given the unreliable connectivity, safety concerns and weather, a better short term and emergency option will be to airlift those items, most essential to basic survival.
This will put less pressure on the alternate route/s between Dimapur and Kohima and more importantly allow repair and building of road infrastructure without too much traffic.
District administration of Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland and Dimapur Police Commissionerate will assist in uploading the essential food and medicine and reaching the Dimapur airport.
With expected shortage of fuel, the State Capital may consider conservation strategies by encouraging use of public transport and implementing odd-even numbers to curtail traffic.
. The other FOCUS GROUP should urgently engage in building an alternate road between Dimapur and Kohima. The Road and Bridges Department should lead this front.
The best plan for the immediate is to prioritise the Dimapur-Niuland-Zhadima-Kohima route and officially declare it as a State Highway. The State government should work out the project details and fund the permanent construction of this route.
In the long run, this will be provide reliable (alternative) connectivity and also save a lot of money and troubles for Nagaland.
With the festive and tourist season soon approaching, especially the 25th Anniversary Hornbill Festival, Nagaland cannot afford to be without roads!
Let’s focus on the immediate first. Other public concerns of systemic corruption and governance deficit will hopefully be highlighted in due course of time.
Along Longkumer
Former Editor, The Morung Express