NPP flags safety concerns on ‘hazardous’ NH-29; submits memo to NHAI, ministry

DIMAPUR — The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland has raised serious concerns over recurring landslides and rockfalls along National Highway-29, particularly the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane stretch, citing loss of lives and damage to property in recent years.

In a press note issued on Tuesday, the party said that despite ongoing maintenance and construction work, hazardous stretches—particularly Pagala Pahar (Tsiedukhru range), the KMC dumping site area, and Kisama—remain vulnerable due to lack of “scientific slope stabilisation, robust drainage, and preventive engineering solutions.”

Referring to the fatal rockfall at Pagala Pahar earlier on May 30, the NPP said the incident underscores the need for permanent and science-based interventions. “Temporary fixes such as traffic diversions and limited rockfall barriers have clearly been insufficient during periods of intense rainfall,” it stated.

Further, “the NPP calls on the government to publish authenticated, year wise casualty data to avoid ambiguity and ensure accountability,” the release stated.

The party said it has submitted a memorandum to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Guwahati Regional Office and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), seeking a range of interventions.

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Among its key demands are the immediate implementation of slope protection works, installation of advanced rockfall barriers, real-time early warning systems, and comprehensive safety audits. The memorandum also calls for local geotechnical expertise to be included in future planning and design processes.

The NPP has also urged the government to establish district-level monitoring and reporting mechanisms, enhance community safety education and signage, and install speed regulation infrastructure and escape bays. It further called for the publication of year-wise casualty data to improve accountability and demanded that a time-bound action plan, along with a live progress dashboard, be made public so that citizens can track mitigation work, closures, and safety interventions in real time.

It further called on the state government’s monitoring mechanism “to constantly supervise work progress and ensure timely rectifications, so that no lapse or complacency by implementing agencies jeopardises public safety.”

“The lives and safety of commuters cannot be compromised due to construction deficiencies or inadequate preventive measures,” the party said, adding that it stands in solidarity with affected families and will continue to pursue the matter with relevant authorities until sustainable, lasting solutions are implemented.