Nagaland incident: NHIDCL condoles loss of lives, technical team to study cause of landslide

DIMAPUR— The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has expressed condolences over the rockslide that killed two people and injured three others  near Chathe Bridge in Chümoukedima on the Kohima-Dimapur four-lane road, on Tuesday.

“We regret that such an accident occurred despite our continuous efforts to maintain all the necessary road safety measures,” read the press release issued on Wednesday.

Maintaining that its primary responsibility has always been to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens and travelers, the NHIDCL said it will send a technical team, including experts to ascertain the reasons for the incident and a proper study of the landslides and geology of the area and suggest remedial measures so that such incidents can be prevented in future.

While updating that the packages 1 and 2 of Dimapur-Kohima road project, which was taken over from the BRO in November 2016 for the development of a four-lane National Highway (NH-29), are on the verge of completion (above 99%) with only some minor works left to be done, the NHIDCL said “the portion where the incident happened lies in ‘Pagala Pahar’ stretch which extends from km 123.840 to km 129”.

“Cutting was done in this stretch in 2018-19 and vegetation has developed on the slope.

“Various special slope protection measures including slope stabilization measures like coir mat with hydroseeding, rock netting with 3D steel mesh, rock barriers, rock bolting and vetiver grass plantation were done in the given portion. The point where the rock fall happened has been stable since 2019-20. Slope protection work of up to 30-35 m height has been done at some points along the stretch by NHIDCL,” read the press release.

“As per site reports, clearance of a muck slide at Km 124.500 was underway and vehicles were waiting when the rock fall happened. Swift action was ensured by NHIDCL and machineries (JCB, loader), manpower and ambulance reached within 15 minutes and immediate medical assistance was also provided,” it added.