Nagaland
NH 29: Landslides cut off Dimapur-Kohima link again
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 8 (EMN): Rainfall-triggered landslides and sinking of road have delinked National Highway-29 at the old KMC dumping site for the third time this year—at three different stretches within a kilometre.
According to Akumdong Walling, SDO of Nagaland Public Works Department (National Highway), the new stretch of 45-metre road sank 12 feet following heavy rains on October 6 and the 7th.
At around 2 am on October 6, landslides had disrupted vehicular movement along NH-29 but the department could restore the road by night and allowed vehicles (including heavy ones) to pass through. However, due to continuous rainfall, the same stretch sank five more feet on October 7, rendering any vehicular movement impossible, Walling told Eastern Mirror on Tuesday.
According to him, restoration works are in progess. He was hopeful of opening a single-lane traffic by October 9 evening. The department is working day and night to ensure that the road is restored at the earliest, Walling added.
The officer also informed that fresh cutting of the road has been initiated since October 6, necessitated by the sinking of highway. At least 60 trucks, coming from both directions, have been left stranded along the highway.
M Patton, officer-in-charge (Traffic) North PS Kohima, said that light and medium vehicles travelling between Kohima and Dimapur have been directed to take the Jotsoma route. Meanwhile, heavy vehicles have to wait for the highway to open for traffic, he added.
Earlier in the month of July and August, two different stretches along NH-29 near the Old KMC dumping site were affected, owing to heavy rainfall. Since last week, several days of rainfall had caused landslides and sinking of road along NH-29, the lifeline of Nagaland and Manipur states.