DIMAPUR — A year after a fatal rockslide, the Pagala Pahar stretch of Dimapur-Kohima National Highway-29 witnessed another incident on Friday, injuring four people.
The rockslide, attributed to incessant rainfall, damaged a Bolero travelling towards Kohima, injuring all four occupants.
Dimapur's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) reported receiving information about the incident at approximately 3:54 pm.
The vehicle's occupants, one male and three females, including a 10-year-old child, were admitted to District Hospital Dimapur. While no casualties were reported, one female occupant is said to be in serious condition, the official said.
Police issues advisory
Following the incident, the office of the Dimapur Police Commissioner issued an advisory, noting that the stretch of highway along Chathe (Patkai) Bridge towards New Chumoukedima (Kukidolong-Paglapahar stretch) “has become vulnerable for public commute”.
To ensure public safety, commuters have been advised to avoid travelling along this vulnerable stretch during heavy rainfall, particularly at night.
Non-essential travel and stops along this stretch should also be avoided, read the advisory.
Further, travellers must maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and exercise extreme caution while navigating this vulnerable section of National Highway-29, it added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who is also in-charge of National Highways, addressed the incident on social media, stating that the state government will take up the matter with the concerned authority in all seriousness and ensure accountability.
In a series of posts on X, Zeliang said the government has been impressing upon the implementing agency -- National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) -- to expedite safety measures, for which, a short term maintenance contract has also been allotted apart from the main contract for construction of the 4-Lane road.
“In the last review and coordination meeting held on 15th May with NHIDCL and the Short Term Maintenance Contractor, a clear direction has been given fearing for such incidents as monsoon is almost at its peak,” Zelaing wrote.
Further, he said that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has also, in no uncertain terms, directed NHIDCL to expedite the work and put safety measures in place before the start of monsoon.
“By God’s grace, no lives have been lost today. I express pain and grief for those injured and wish them a speedy recovery. The state government will take up the matter with the concern authority in all seriousness and ensure accountability,” he added.