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Nagaland has allocated INR 6 crore for urgent repair work on a vulnerable stretch of National Highway 29, which has been sinking due to heavy rainfall and ground subsidence. The Deputy Chief Minister inspected sections at Liezocha 'C' Khel and Kezanu, noting that one 300 metre portion has completely collapsed. Of the allocated funds, INR 4 crore comes from the state and INR 2 crore from central resources. Earlier, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had sanctioned INR 19 crore for blacktopping a 12.6 km stretch. Long-term solutions include constructing two bypass routes, with one previously approved but delayed due to land acquisition challenges, and proposals are being pushed for central approval to declare them as national highways.
The state government has approved INR 4 crore for immediate repair work along the most affected sections of NH 29, while an additional INR 2 crore has been sanctioned from central resources. The repairs involve diverting around 250 metres of road to bypass the collapsed area and restore connectivity for commuters. In addition, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had earlier sanctioned INR 19 crore for resurfacing a 12.6 km stretch from Jotsoma Junction to Lerie, and further work is planned to address damage near Liezocha and other vulnerable locations. The ongoing repairs aim to prevent further disruption while long-term solutions are finalized. Advertisement
Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang personally inspected the affected areas at Liezocha 'C' Khel in Dzudza village and Kezanu in Jotsoma, which was previously a KMC dumping site. He noted that the sinking is ongoing both above and below the road surface, and highlighted that one 300 metre section has already collapsed. Zeliang emphasized that the damage is primarily due to natural causes, especially heavy rainfall leading to soil subsidence, rather than any human error.
For a lasting solution, Zeliang highlighted two bypass proposals. The Kohima Capital Bypass, stretching 37 km from Niuland to 10th Mile, had received clearance in 2016 but was delayed because of land acquisition difficulties. An alternative bypass from Peducha to 10th Mile has been suggested to avoid landslide-prone areas. The state government is actively requesting the central ministry to declare these routes as national highways to ensure secure funding, better maintenance, and uninterrupted traffic flow.
Contract awards for the emergency repair work are expected to be finalized soon, with contractors responsible for maintaining the repaired stretches for 18 months. In areas like Kisama Heritage, soil testing has shown that the entire hillock is sinking, making preventive measures impractical. These findings are guiding both immediate and long-term planning to strengthen NH 29 and maintain connectivity.
Source PTI
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