Following the latest incident on September 14, 2025, the protective structure at Chainage 126 is left severely damaged by the Chathe River on one side, while fresh mudslides batter the opposite slope. (Morung Photo)
Moa Jamir
Chümoukedima | September 17
A fresh episode and subsequent disruption of normal life at Chainage 126 on the Tsiedukhru range (Pagla Pahar) along National Highway-29 on September 14 raises questions on whether natural forces alone are to blame or if human factors are also contributing to the recurring crisis.
While single-lane movement resumed on the afternoon of September 15 with caveat, the third major disruption at the same location within a year also puts spotlight on ‘actions’ of the concerned authorities over the issue.
To recollect, the first major erosion at Chainage 126 occurred during the intervening night of September 3–4, 2024, severely damaging a portion of the highway and cutting key links. On the same night, a separate incident near Pherima claimed six lives.
Since then, the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB), which had taken up a suo motu PIL on the NH-29 Dimapur–Kohima four-lane construction in 2019, has issued a series of orders urging speedy land acquisition and related measures.
However, before any real ground work could begin, another disruption occurred on June 16, when officials reported that a “sudden rise in water levels” had undermining a temporary foundation wall installed to prevent soil erosion.
During a site visit on September 16, The Morung Express observed that the September 14 event appeared to result from two simultaneous forces: fresh mudslides on one side and the flooding Chathe River battering the other.
Catchment areas in Jalukie and Medziphema recorded over 100 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours up to 8 a.m. on September 14. Overall, the two-day spell from September 14–15 brought an average of 32.0 mm of rainfall per day as per the Indian Meteorological Department data, representing a 338% departure from the normal daily rainfall of 7.3 mm.
Inertia despite judicial oversight
Despite repeated directives from the GHCKB to expedite land acquisition, pipeline relocation, and riverbank protection, physical work at Chainage 126 has yet to begin, highlighting persistent bureaucratic inertia.
Review of Court’s proceedings and orders by this newspaper informed that as early as 27 November 2024, NHIDCL reported the washout and it had requested the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chümoukedima to acquire land and carry out hill-cutting.
The Nagaland Additional Advocate General (AAG) was then directed to obtain instructions for the next hearing.
A temporary protective structure was built thereafter.
By January 2025, the Court had directed the DC to file an affidavit on steps taken for land acquisition.
In March, the DC reported a joint verification identifying 34,285 sq. ft. for acquisition, forwarding the report to the Commissioner Nagaland on 10 February 2025 for further course of action.
Accordingly, the Court directed the AAG to provide an update on the Commissioner’s action before the onset of the rainy season.
On 2 April, the Court stressed the urgency of completing works ahead of the monsoon, noting that despite repeated instructions, no tangible progress had been made.
It also suggest invoking special provisions under the Nagaland Land Acquisition Act and directed the Commissioner and DC Chümoukedima to expedite acquisition, while NHIDCL and MoRTH were asked to accord sanction and approval.
Subsequent hearings through June and July 2025 highlighted continued delays with the Court noting that the State is yet to filed affidavits, PHED pipelines remained intact, and Chief Secretary intervention was required to push the process forward.
During both hearings, with no updates, the Amicus Curiae also expressed concern over the “casual” approach of State authorities and asking whether officials were “sleeping” on the matter.
Commissioner Nagaland’s milestones
In rejoinder to news report based on Court’s proceedings of July 16, the Commissioner Nagaland’s office publicly clarified that the land acquisition process had been “meticulously followed as per established norms and procedures”
The clarification on July 18 also outlined administrative milestones: joint land survey (13 December 2024), proposal submission (10 February 2025), Tourism Department NOC (25 March 2025), State approval (11 April 2025), resolution of NHIDCL objections and NOC issuance (20 May 2025), and land compensation disbursed (2 July 2025).
Thereafter, the Executive Engineer PHED, Urban Division Dimapur has also issued clearance to NHIDCL to commence hill-cutting, it informed.
“The Government remains committed to the timely and transparent execution of this vital infrastructure project,” it added
The clarification, however, did not explain why affidavits were not filed on time despite repeated directions and such distinctive milestones.
It was only on August 13 when the Amicus Curiae reported to the Court on the receipt of affidavits.
Groundwork yet to commence
Despite these procedural milestones, nearly two months after the clarification, major physical work has yet to commence with pipeline still visible. It remains unclear whether the delay lies with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), which earlier confirmed floating the tendering process for process for permanent solution, or other factors.
The case is scheduled to return to the High Court on September 24, when the situation may become clearer.
Meanwhile, the latest incident, following earlier disruptions, underscores how delays continue to hinder the progress of already battered and long-delayed NH-29 construction, with no immediate solution in sight.
