DIMAPUR — Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang had a meeting with Executive Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) RP Singh to address safety concerns and discuss solutions for mishaps along the Dimapur-Kohima 4-Lane National Highway, which has been hit by fresh rockslide after a fatal incident last year.
The meeting, which held at the Deputy Chief Minister's residence in Kohima, focused on the need for both immediate and long-term measures to improve safety and ensure quality, according to an update received here on Monday.
TR Zeliang, who is also in-charge of Planning and Transformation, and National Highways, stressed the urgent need for immediate safety measures and quality control in the Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane construction, as well as the need to have short and long term plans to make the Pagala Pahar stretch of the National Highway-29 less hazardous.
The update went on to say that the deputy CM assured the state government’s assistance, if required, in acquiring land, to extend the right of way (RoW) for further earth cutting.
To facilitate efficient and unhindered working conditions along the stretch, Zeliang suggested the use of NH-129A Peren-Dimapur, particularly in Package-IV as a bypass route.
He said that the present bypass route via Sokhuvi-Mhainamtsi is narrow and not conducive for heavy traffic, and the NH-129A Peren-Dimapur, particularly in Package-IV, which is under construction, would serve as viable route instead.
In this connection, the deputy CM requested the NHIDCL to expedite the work on Package-IV so that it can be utilised as bypass and the approximately 4-kilometre Pagala Pahar can be completely closed to traffic when the long term plan is executed.
According to the release, Singh outlined the NHIDCL’s short term plan which includes directing the Short-Term Maintenance Contractor to expedite safety measures such as removing precariously standing rocks on top of the hill, cutting protruding rocks, rock netting, and installing crash barriers, among others.
Zeliang also raised concerns about inadequate signage in areas where the ongoing four-lane construction merges with the existing two-lane roads, posing risks to commuters.
On this, Singh, who recently assumed his role as ED (Project) RO (Kohima), acknowledged the issue and assured that the NHIDCL would promptly address the matter, said the update. He also assured to update himself with all the ongoing NHIDCL projects in Nagaland and prioritise timely completion with the highest quality standards.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both agreeing for a better coordination between the NHIDCL and the state government for better implementation of highway projects in the state, it added.