Averting Roadway Nightmares

With the rainy season around the corner, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, who is also the minister in-charge for National Highways, has reportedly convened a meeting with the officials of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), contractors and others on monsoon preparedness. He is said to have asked the road construction agencies and firms to take safety measures, especially in accident-prone areas, to prevent untoward incidents. This is a much-needed move considering the fact that rain-induced landslides continue to pose a threat to commuters on National Highways, especially along the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane stretch. The state government seems to be on alert and doesn’t want to take chances after the July 4 tragic incident last year that killed two persons and injured three others along the Chümoukedima-Jharnapani (Pagala Pahar) stretch of the NH-29. The government’s pro-active approach is reassuring, as preventive measures and prompt response can reduce the risk and damage, though natural disasters cannot be prevented. What can be prevented are man-made disasters, which are prevalent in areas with difficult terrain. In Nagaland, the onus of preventing man-made disasters will mostly fall on NHIDCL, as it is implementing most road projects in the state, including the Dimapur-Kohima stretch.

Considering the importance and urgency of initiating precautionary safety measures and completing road construction with workmanship before the monsoon sets in, it is disappointing to see some projects dragging on for years. The NHIDCL officials, including the managing director and the executive director, had inspected the NH-29 following the 2023 mishap and assured preventive measures. More than 11 months have passed since the tragic incident took place and another monsoon is arriving soon but the Dimapur-Kohima stretch, which is the lifeline of Nagaland state as well as Manipur, remains incomplete. Vehicles continue to ply on one lane at certain portions of the Chümoukedima-Jharnapani stretch, indicating that all is not safe yet. Another crucial road that has been causing much inconvenience to travellers is the Kohima-Mao Gate stretch of National Highway-02. It is yet to be completed, despite the intervention of the High Court and the extension of the deadline time and again. The implementing agencies of road projects in the state, including inter-district and inter-village, should complete their tasks before the monsoon begins. The government of Nagaland should also put pressure on the concerned contractors to expedite such projects without compromising quality. This is vital to mitigating tragic incidents. The authorities also should lay out contingency plans to alleviate possible public inconveniences by maintaining alternate routes. One such route that needs attention is the one via Chümoukedima-Shokhuvi-Medziphema.