Dzüdza landslide: No respite for commuters

KOHIMA — There is no respite in sight for commuters as rain continues to trigger mudslides at the landslide area near Dzüdza Bridge along the National Highway-29, derailing the efforts to open the crucial road for one-way traffic at the earliest.

It was informed that the affected portion of the Kohima-Dimapur four-lane road couldn’t be cleared for traffic even on Friday due to continuous landslide, despite relentless efforts by workers at ground zero.

An official of M/S Brand Eagles, the NHIDCL-engaged construction company for package-III (two-lane), had earlier told Eastern Mirror that they would try to open the road for one-way traffic by Thursday evening if the rainfall subsides. However, persistent rain has affected the clearance work at the landslide site.

The NH-29, which serves as a lifeline to most parts of Nagaland, including capital Kohima, and to the state of Manipur, has been inaccessible for almost a week now after major landslides completely blocked the road last week. Heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities and other materials to Manipur, as well as Dimapur-bound trucks have been stranded for several days.

In an advisory, Kohima DC had earlier issued travel advisory, asking light vehicles travelling from Kohima to Dimapur to take Jotsoma-Khonoma-Mezoma-Sechüma-Sechü Zubza or Dzüdza Bridge-Mezo Basa-Sechüma-Sechü Zubza route, while those travelling from Dimapur to Kohima have been asked to take Peducha Bridge-Tsiesema (10 Mile Road) route.

Meanwhile, heavy traffic was reported along the 10 Mile Road route on Friday.