New Chümoukedima landslides: NH-29 still closed to small vehicles

DIMAPUR — The National Highway-29 at New Chümoukedima (Pagala Pahar) remains closed to small vehicles as restoration work continues following landslides. However, heavy trucks stranded in the area are being allowed to pass through in a staggered manner during daylight hours.

A traffic police officer told Eastern Mirror that heavy vehicles are allowed to pass through during the day in a staggered manner as restoration works are going on, especially during the night.

The officer explained that night-time travel is deemed too dangerous due to the risk of falling rocks. Authorities halt all traffic between 10 am and 1 pm daily to facilitate restoration efforts undertaken by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Public Works Department (National Highway).

He said that traffic police are stationed round the clock at the Patkai bridge and New Chümoukedima iron bridge to monitor the flow of vehicles.

Further, since road restoration is also underway at the Sechü Zubza landslide area, the Kohima Traffic Police have requested their Dimapur counterparts to limit the number of trucks heading towards Kohima.

This, the officer said, is proving difficult, as many trucks purportedly heading towards Peducha are instead diverting towards Kohima, leading to congestion. The constraint on truck movement towards Kohima is further hindering efforts to clear the backlog of stranded trucks at Old Chümoukedima, he said.

Meanwhile, he updated that the state government has deployed a monitoring team from the PWD (National Highway) department to oversee the progress of the restoration work.

Also read: Nagaland government prioritising NH-29 restoration, aid for landslide victims