Road accidents rise in Dimapur and Chümoukedima with 21 incidents, eight deaths reported in January–February 2026 traffic data.
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DIMAPUR — Dimapur district, including Chümoukedima, has witnessed a concerning rise in road accidents in the first two months of 2026, with 21 incidents reported in January and February compared to 12 during the same period last year, according to data from Dimapur Traffic Police (DTP).
The accidents resulted in eight fatalities and 20 injuries, up from five deaths and 11 injuries recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Traffic police attributed the rise mainly to overspeeding, rash driving and drunken driving, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours.
Officials said that safety violations remain a major contributing factor, with drivers and pedestrians alike frequently ignoring traffic rules.
According to the DTP, there are no specific accident hotspots, as every location poses risks. However, most fatal accidents occur along the National Highway, where pedestrians are particularly vulnerable.
Read 2025 report: Road accidents in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland show significant decline
The police highlighted that frequent pedestrian crossings along the Purana Bazaar–Chümoukedima stretch often lead to accidents, especially when vehicles are speeding or drivers are under the influence of alcohol.
17 black spots
The DTP has identified 17 accident-prone black spots across Dimapur and Chümoukedima based on data from 2021 to 2025.
These include stretches such as Dillai gate–St. John School, Tinali (Sub Jail)–Government College junction, DC Court–Old SM College, Essar petrol pump–Nikos Hospital junction, Tragopan junction–Burma Camp junction, Purana Bazaar–Naharbari junction, Airport junction–DPR junction, and NBRC junction–Sovima gate, among others.
Police shared that most accidents occur between 8 pm and early morning, largely due to safety violations, poor lighting and inadequate infrastructure such as low road dividers.
Read more: One killed in Dimapur road accident
Police personnel on duty also face significant risks while managing traffic during night hours, often encountering reckless drivers and occasionally sustaining injuries.
Road safety proposals
Following a study on road accidents, the DTP submitted a series of proposals to the Road Safety Committee in 2025 aimed at reducing accidents and improving road safety.
The proposals include: solar-powered traffic blinkers and streetlights; higher median dividers along NH-29; foot over-bridges at busy pedestrian crossing points; and high-resolution ANPR/CCTV cameras at strategic locations.
Foot over-bridges have been proposed at Olive Hospital junction, between Delhi Public School junction and Padumpukhuri village gate, and between Naharbari village junction and Purana Bazaar junction to reduce pedestrian fatalities.
To address hit-and-run cases, the police have proposed installing high-resolution Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at major junctions such as Delhi Public School junction, Purana Bazaar junction, Veterinary/Burma Camp junction, Tragopan police point, Clock Tower area and DC office junction.
In Chümoukedima district, similar installations have been proposed at 1st and 2nd gate, 7th Mile, Tenyiphe junction, Sovima junction, Unity gate, Green Park junction, Central Jail junction, Diphupar junction, Airport junction, 3rd Mile and Bamboo Resource Centre gate.
Barricades for jaywalking
Observing that pedestrians frequently cross highways dangerously by climbing over low medians—particularly along the Zion Hospital junction–Chümoukedima 1st gate stretch—the DTP has proposed installing steel barricades on the median to deter jaywalking.
Police warned that headlight glare at night significantly reduces visibility, increasing the risk of accidents when pedestrians cross highways.
Expressing concern over accident deaths and disability caused by crashes, the traffic police urged motorists to avoid overspeeding and drunken driving.
“Road safety should be a priority for every road user, including pedestrians,” the police said.