Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 7
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) allegedly ignored the Nagaland state government’s recommendation with regard to the alignment of the Dimapur to Kohima 4-lane road, NH 29. The alleged disregard has had the Rs 1200 crore 4-lane road turning into a heavy liability for both the Centre and state government, and a nightmare for commuters.
According to Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who holds the Planning and Transformation and National Highways portfolios, the premier Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), made a fundamental error disregarding a suggestion to construct two parallel two-lane roads flanking the Chathe river on the vulnerable Pagala Pahar (now Tsiedikhru range) stretch.
He said that the state government proposed this plan when the MoRTH Chief Engineer visited the state in 2014. The proposal detailed that these roads could merge into a four-lane highway in a suitable location. The proposal also included the construction of an additional two-lane road in the hill section to serve as an emergency alternative. In his words, “So that if one road is damaged, the other road will serve the purpose.”
The then MoRTH Chief Engineer was said to have concurred with the idea, but the NHIDCL disregarded this plan upon taking over the project, which, Zeliang said, was a mistake at the outset.
He said that the state government recommended constructing a retaining wall along the river with deep piling in one particular landslide and sinking zone, which gets washed away, and alongwith it, the road, every monsoon. More recently, he said that the state government recommended excavating a hillock on the opposite bank to reduce the pressure on the retaining wall.
While the NHIDCL maybe doing its best, he alleged that both the recommendations, which had the concurrence of the Chief Minister, were ignored. He added that the recent damage could have been avoided had the suggestions been incorporated by the NHIDCL.
In any case, he held that the problems plaguing the Dimapur to Kohima four-lane road are natural calamities, which no one can stop.
For its part, he said that the state government is trying to complete an alternative route to Kohima via Niuland and Tsiesema. He added that the road will open by March or April 2026, hopefully.
