Most stretch of the crucial National Highway-29 (NH-29) may have been opened to traffic after weeks of closure due to multiple landslides and mudslides triggered by incessant rain this monsoon but commuters continue to face inconveniences and safety concerns remain as maintenance works are slower than expected. At the Pagala Pahar stretch near the Chathe Bridge, where more than half of the four-lane road was washed away, police personnel continue to man even at night for smooth flow of traffic and to avoid any tragic events. It appears to have overshadowed the fear of rock falls but that risk will remain till it is addressed. The stretch of National Highway-29 at Pherima, where a devastating mudslide claimed six lives earlier last month, and the massive landslide at Dzüdza under Sechü Zubza are opened to traffic but lots of work needs to be done to avoid another tragedy. As for the landslide at the notorious Old KMC dumping site, commuters (particularly small vehicles) still have to take a detour via Jotsoma before joining the NH-29 in Kohima, while heavy rainfall could trigger more mudslides at Lerie Colony in Kohima, which has been reduced to a narrow lane. This is the current condition of the four-lane road between Dimapur and Kohima, not mentioning trench-like potholes at several locations. Besides affecting business activities due to delay in transportation of goods caused by bad roads, people commuting the state’s two biggest urban settlements and those travelling to Manipur have been facing inconveniences, including increased vehicle fares for more than a month now.
As for the condition of the National Highway-2 from Kohima to Mao Gate, “dirt road” best describes the stretch. No wonder the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) had issued a 15-day deadline earlier this month to restore the said road, mentioning that the ageing bridges and culverts that are on the verge of collapsing and the deteriorated road surface have rendered it dangerous for all vehicles to ply. This is a legitimate demand, as this crucial stretch of road is a lifeline for not only for the people of Kohima and neighbouring districts but also for the people of Manipur. It takes just a few minutes of rain to turn some portions of this stretch into a slippery dirt road, as it is yet to be blacktopped. Manoeuvring through the slippery, muddy road is risky both for heavy and light vehicles. It reeks of apathy from the implementing agency -- National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) – on the sufferings of the people. The prolonged delay in construction of this vital stretch is disappointing, to say the least. The NHIDCL has been accused of executing the ambitious four-lane NH-29, particularly the extensive use of explosives to break rocks during the construction process and steep road cuttings despite fragile geological features. Besides the delay in completion of important projects, the construction firm has also upset the state government and the public alike for not being prompt in clearing debris in times of landslides. This is unbecoming of a Centre-owned company that is supposed to improve road connectivity. The NHIDCL, which has more than 20 ongoing road projects in Nagaland, should set a standard for road construction firms and contractors through efficiency and timely completion. This should start with the NH-29 and NH-2. Failing to do so will not only cause more inconvenience to the people but also mar the silver jubilee celebration of the Hornbill Festival, which is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1.