Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday undertook an on-site inspection of the severely damaged National Highway-29 (NH-29), a key road link between Kohima and Dimapur, following weeks of heavy monsoon rains that have triggered landslides, road cave-ins, and major transportation disruptions across the region.Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister T R Zeliang, who is also in charge of National Highways, Rio visited some of the most affected sections of the highway, including the landslide-prone zone near the old Kohima Municipal Council dumping ground, where a major portion of the road has collapsed, leaving behind a dangerously narrow lane that is now only accessible to light vehicles.During the visit, the Chief Minister interacted with officials from the State Public Works Department (PWD), the district administration, and community leaders from Jotsoma village, a settlement situated close to the subsiding highway and currently facing heightened risk due to ongoing soil movement and instability.
Expressing grave concern over the scale of damage, Rio directed the concerned departments to undertake a detailed technical survey for identifying safe alignments, including fresh road cutting in unstable areas. He emphasized the need for dialogue with landowners to expedite compensation and land acquisition processes that would enable long-term road expansion and the construction of more secure infrastructure.“Other parts of the country are constructing bridges and permanent drainage systems to combat similar challenges. We must adopt such engineering solutions here in Nagaland as well. Temporary fixes will not work anymore. We need durable, disaster-resistant designs,” the Chief Minister asserted.He also asked for the submission of a comprehensive damage assessment report covering not just NH-29 but all national highways across the state to facilitate a post-monsoon restoration blueprint.CM Rio later took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to reassure citizens, stating that “all necessary steps are being taken to restore road connectivity and ensure the safety of travelers and nearby residents.”
During the visit, leaders from Jotsoma village highlighted the pressing threat posed by continued land subsidence to their elevated settlement. They requested the government to expedite the construction of retaining walls and slope protection structures, which they believe are vital for safeguarding both the road and their homes.Addressing the media after the inspection, Deputy Chief Minister T R Zeliang revealed that the Central Government has sanctioned ₹24 crore specifically for monsoon preparedness and urgent repairs along the worst-affected 12-km stretch of NH-29. Tenders for the repair work were floated on June 23 and are scheduled to be opened on July 30, after which construction activities are expected to begin in earnest.Zeliang also shed light on the introduction of geotextile and geosynthetic materials for slope protection, techniques currently being piloted in the Pagla Pahar area of Chumoukedima district. These advanced materials are known for their effectiveness in stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion. He added that similar approaches might be implemented in the currently affected zones if proven successful.
