TR Zeliang inspects NH-29 damage, plans diversions

KOHIMA — Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Planning and Transformation and National Highways, TR Zeliang, on Monday inspected the subsidence and landslide-affected stretches of National Highway-29 at Liezocha in Dzüdza village and Kezanu in Jotsoma village in Kohima district.

At Liezocha, about 300 metres of road have been affected, with the entire stretch sinking and becoming impassable for vehicles. At Kezanu, around 250 metres have been damaged due to mudslides since the onset of the monsoon.

Briefing journalists after the inspection, Zeliang said that he had discussed the subsidence at Liezocha with the regional officer in Guwahati and was advised to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The proposal would then be taken up with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), he said.

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“We will not be able to use the existing road,” he confirmed, adding that land needs to be acquired for fresh earth cutting on the hillside. While assuring that payment would be made, he said that the matter still needs to be discussed with the village council and landowners.

On the Kezanu stretch, the deputy CM said that he had earlier visited the site along with the chief minister, after which they decided to acquire land about 50 metres above the road covering a length of 250 metres. “For this, assessment has been done, and payment will be made after SLA approval, which is already finalised,” he said.

He added that the contract agreement will be signed within a few days. Once appointed, the contractor will have to maintain the road for one and a half years and will be held responsible for any eventuality.

Zeliang informed that fresh hillside cutting will be carried out at the site, followed by construction of a breast wall and RCC drainage to prevent water run-off. He described the measure as temporary but sufficient for now.

The state government, he said, has provided INR 4 crore for emergency work to divert the 250-metre stretch.

Prior to the recent damage, he said that the department had moved a proposal to MoRTH for blacktopping the stretch from Jotsoma Junction (bypass) to Lerie Junction. A sanction of INR 19 crore was approved for the 12.6 km stretch, and the tendering process is nearing completion.

However, because of the recent damage to parts of the stretch, an additional proposal will now have to be sent. In view of this, the state government has provided an additional INR 4 crore.

Besides that, another INR 2 crore has been sanctioned from Delhi for special repair work in the affected area. The tendering process is underway and expected to be finalised within a week.

According to him, three projects are currently under preparation: the INR 19 crore sanctioned for 12.2 km of road stretch; special repair for the damaged portion; and the state-provided support for the 250-metre diversion requiring hillside cutting.

For a long-term solution, Zeliang said that he had informed MoRTH and the regional office in Guwahati to conduct a site visit to prepare permanent protection measures.

Alternative roads

He informed that alternative roads between Kohima and Dimapur are being proposed. One is the Kohima capital bypass via Niuland to 10th Mile road, covering 37 km. He informed that the first phase of about 2-3 km is under completion, while phases two and three have already been completed up to 10th Mile.

The project, which was sanctioned in 2016, was delayed due to landowner disputes, but issues have since been resolved and work is progressing, he said.

Another option is a bypass from Peducha (Iron Bridge) up to 10th Mile. In this stretch, there are no landslides or sinking portions, and work is under way. Zeliang said that the state will propose to MoRTH to shift the Kohima bypass from Jotsoma Junction, currently being constructed by NHIDCL, to Peducha–10th Mile instead. He observed that the 500-metre road tunnel under construction by NHIDCL is not viable.

The third option is a bypass from Niuland to 10th Mile, which was originally planned up to Zhadima but later changed. The state will also propose that the Peducha–10th Mile bypass be declared an alternative National Highway to ensure uninterrupted travel in the future, he said.

He added that landslides will continue to occur, describing the problem as a natural calamity rather than man-made.

On the Kisama stretch, he informed that a proposal for a bypass at Phesama is under consideration with the ministry. The village council has agreed to provide land for the project, he said, expressing hope that MoRTH will approve and sanction it.

“The only way is bypass,” Zeliang reiterated, adding that strengthening the existing road is difficult.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, said land acquisition for the subsidence area at Liezocha has not yet been proposed.

He stated that the PWD (NH) has to first provide the administration with requirements on the extent of land needed for construction. However, he informed that the administration is already in touch with the landowners.