NH 29 Dimapur-Kohima diversion route witnesses huge traffic snarls

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | July 5 

In the aftermath of the rockslide which occurred at the Chümoukedima stretch of the NH 29 on July 4, claiming two lives and severely injuring three others, the stopgap diversionary route from 7th Mile Chümoukedima Junction-Sukhovi-Pimla-Mhainamtsi-Punglwa-Jharnapani-Medziphema caused huge traffic snarls and chaos for commuters on July 5. 

The new arrangement proposed by the Dimapur Police, has been put in place in view of public safety concerns along the NH-29 stretch and as further rockslide and landslide could not be ruled out due to the incessant rainfall. 

Several individuals, traversing through the alternative stretch, have expressed frustration at having to wait in traffic for long hours just to reach their destination. 

Pastor of City Church Kohima, Kedo Peseyie informed that it took him about 6 ½ hours to reach Kohima from Chümoukedima. “We started from 4th Mile, Chümoukedima in the morning at around 9:30 and only reached Kohima by 4:00 PM.” 

Based on his car’s speedometer, he estimated that the distance travelled was 112 Kms. In comparison, the standard distance between Dimapur to Kohima was 74 Kms. 

At the same time, he observed that the lack of discipline on the part of several drivers worsened the traffic situation especially along narrow stretches between Sukhovi-Pimla- Mhainamtsi. The humid weather further exacerbated the entire experience on top of the rain. “It was a very frustrating journey overall so I advise others only to travel if it is really necessary as it can test your patience,” he commented. 

Nevertheless he appreciated the traffic personnel manning a few of the locations who directed the flow of traffic but stressed that more needed to be done to maintain order and discipline.  

 Another traveller shared his view by stating that if it was not an emergency, travelling along the new stretch was not advisable right now. He mentioned it took him about 2 hours just to reach Medziphema from 7th Mile Chümoukedima junction.  

Meanwhile, sources informed that taxi drivers were also reluctant to ply between Dimapur to Kohima given the situation. But when the Morung Express visited the Dimapur Railway Station where the taxis were parked, it was found that a few of them were ferrying passengers in the afternoon, although at a much reduced number.   

Partial relaxation of traffic
In addition to the previous order, the Dimapur Police on July 5 issued another travel advisory for all commuters travelling between Dimapur to Kohima. According to the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, IPS, he stated that upon recommendation in the feasibility report by NHIDCL, the Dimapur Police has partially relaxed the movement of vehicles on the NH-29 stretch between Chümoukedima and Jharnapani towards Kohima and vice versa for public transit with immediate effect.  

In the new arrangement, only two lane traffic on the right hand side towards Kohima (valley/riverside) along the Pakala Pahar stretch will be kept operational for to and fro movement. However this will be permitted only for medical emergencies and heavy vehicles carrying essential goods, the advisory stated. “However, all travellers are advised to maintain extreme caution and non-essential stoppage along the noted Highway stretch should be avoided.” 

With regard to light /passenger carrying vehicles, they were instructed to continue using the bypass route as notified earlier (7th Mile Jn CMD - Shokhuvi - Pimla - Mhainamtsi - Punglwa - Jharnapani - Medziphema and vice versa) till further notice.