Like most hill stations, disasters – both natural and man-made – hit Nagaland almost every year. This year is no exception. The incessant rain over the past few days has triggered landslides, rock falls and mudslides across the state, crippling transportation services and affecting the economic lives of thousands of people again. It has been days since the crucial National Highway-29 has been completely paralysed due to the massive landslide near Dzüdza Bridge. Being the lifeline of the people, any disruption to the Kohima-Dimapur four-lane road affects not only the people of Nagaland but also those from neighbouring states, particularly Manipur. Due to its magnitude, the Dzüdza landslide has dwarfed the deteriorating condition of roads in various parts of the state, including Mon town and Razeba area, as well as the rock falls that continue to pose a threat to commuters along the Pagala Pahar stretch of National Highway-29, where the lives of two persons were cut short a year ago. It will be unfair not to acknowledge the visible improvement in terms of response to disasters from the state government and its various departments over the years. The response from the citizens is also commendable, as many go out of their way to help people in distress, including stranded commuters. However, the concerned authorities should seriously chart out both short-term and long-term policies to address this perpetual issue.
For immediate relief, the road construction companies overseeing the route should work on a war footing to clear the debris in landslide-affected areas. As for the Dzüdza landslide, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) should ensure that the firm has engaged for Package-III, where the affected stretch comes under, and deploy all its resources to clear the road at the earliest. This is paramount as supply chain disruptions can have a wide range of impacts, including infrastructure works, trading and the prices of essential commodities. The authorities should also look into the untold hardships faced by stranded commuters, especially truck drivers. Essential commodities like food and water should be made accessible in the vicinity. As for the long-term solution, the NHIDCL will play a huge role, as it has been granted contracts for the construction and maintenance of many road projects, including the Kohima-Dimapur four-lane. The state government has taken a big leap in terms of disaster management with the signing of an MoU with SBI General Insurance for a Disaster Risk Transfer Parametric Insurance Solution, as it will help protect infrastructure in the state and reduce economic losses. However, the main focus should be on mitigating natural calamities, especially man-made disasters. A comprehensive study of the state’s topography and human activities, especially in and around landslide-prone areas, may be necessary to find out a possible permanent solution. Considering the frequency of landslides along the NH-29, it is also pertinent to have all-weather alternate routes.
