HIGHWAY TO PERIL

July 7, 2024 19 Views No Comment

State Govt has been raising safety issues, maintains Dy CM

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 7

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highway TR Zeliang has claimed that the State Government has been impressing upon the implementing agency, The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Regional Office Kohima, to expedite safety measures along National Highway-29.

“A short-term maintenance contract has also been allotted apart from the main contract for the construction of the 4-Lane,” Zeliang posted on Facebook in response to another rock fall on the NH-29 Patkai Bridge to Kukidolong stretch on July 5.

The incident reportedly damaged a vehicle and injured 4 occupants. The latest incident also brought back memories of exactly a year ago when a rock slide on July 4, 2023, claimed two lives and injured three others on the same stretch.

A red flag stands to mark the start of the four-lane section from Patkai Bridge Junction towards Kohima on the afternoon of July 6. The mountain side of this four-lane stretch, spanning over 4 kilometres, has been closed to traffic since a rock slide occurred on July 4, 2023. However, the flag was not seen in the evening. (Morung Photo)

Zeliang further informed that during the last review and coordination meeting held on May 15 with NHIDCL and the Short-Term Maintenance Contractor, clear directions were given in anticipation of such incidents as the monsoon is almost at its peak.

“Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, ‘in no uncertain terms,’ had directed NHIDCL that work has to be expedited and safety measures put in place before the start of the monsoon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zeliang expressed pain and grief for those injured and wished them a speedy recovery. He assured that the State Government will take up the matter with the concerned authorities seriously and ensure accountability.

Responding to a comment on his post questioning the apparent lack of action by the Government over the issue, the Deputy CM asserted that after last year’s incident, the matter was promptly taken up with NHIDCL, and a short-term maintenance contract specifically for safety measures was allotted in addition to the ongoing 4-Lane contract.

“Things are being practically handled and not just on paper. It is unfortunate that the accident has been repeated,” he added.
In response to another comment, he assured that a thorough deliberation will be undertaken on any technical lapses on the part of the contractor, if any, and addressed accordingly.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, workers were seen clearing debris along the one-side of the four-lane road from Patkai Bridge Junction to New Chümoukedima Junction, spanning over 4 kilometres.

The stretch has been closed for traffic since July 4, 2023 incident. The stretch is littered with debris, mostly rocks, which falls and breaks through the safety net and wire wall installed to mitigate falling rocks and landslides. Metal guardrails have also been set up in the central divider of the four-lane road. However, these preventive measures still appear ineffective.

Following the 2023 incident, the State Government reportedly established a High-Level Technical Committee (HLTC) to investigate the incident. The Committee was expected to submit its report within two weeks, after which the government was to take necessary actions. However, details of the Committee are not available in public domain.

On July 5, the Commissioner of Police in Dimapur also issued a safety advisory on July 5 urging extreme caution when traveling along this stretch. Travelers have been advised to avoid using the vulnerable stretch during heavy rainfall and to minimise non-essential travel.