Traffic jam on landslide damaged NH 29

Correspondent | EMN KOHIMA, JULY 30 NOTWITHSTANDING clear instructions that vehicular traffic is restricted for heavy vehicles on the landslide affected portion on NH 29 near the Naga Heritage Complex, a number of buses and trucks continue to violate the notice. Ironically most of them transporting security personnel.The district administration, police and the BRTF had allowed only light vehicles to ply on this road as repair works on the portion are getting underway. On Tuesday the already sluggish flow of vehicular traffic on the damaged road was further aggravate by the congestion created by a number of heavy vehicles (buses and trucks) arriving at the mouth of the landslide, where passenger transhipment has been taking place ever since the landslide occurred on 12th July. Some trucks and buses were also seen attempting to overtake other vehicles, thereby blocking the traffic flow on both sides, creating more chaos on the road. Commuters including security personnel going towards Manipur are crossing the landslide portion on foot to board vehicles on the other side, near the entrance to Kisama. When contacted, a highly placed BRTF official voiced apprehension on big vehicles drawing too close towards the landslide area. He said it is reducing the efficiency of the BRO workforce who are attempting to make the road pliable for the public as quickly as possible and the rush is not helping. The BRTF official said that work progress has been slow but steady on both sides of the landslide. He said one culvert has already been laid and starting from Wednesday, construction works will continue through the night. It may be mentioned that the the landslide on NH-29 between Kisama and Phesama has affected normal life not only in Nagaland but also in Manipur as well since the highway is the main and shortest lifeline of Manipur. Heavy vehicles travelling towards Manipur have been restricted to ply the NH-29 via Phesama. Truckers and buses going towards Manipur are being diverted to the route via Kezoma road, through Peren and Kohima-Jessami-Ukhrul road to reach their destinations. NH-29 to be closed from Friday Vehicular movement for both light and heavy vehicles on National Highway-29 via Phesama will be closed for a week starting from the wee hours of August 2. The closure is to accommodate the construction of a pliable “minimum surface road” at the landslide area near Phesama.