A section of rockfall barriers along the Tsiedukhru Range stretch of National Highway-29, seen uprooted and damaged on September 14, 2025. At several locations, the barriers have been breached by falling rocks and landslides. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 24
The Gauhati High Court, Nagaland Kohima Bench (GHCKB), on Wednesday reviewed progress on critical works along the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane National Highway 29 (NH-29), amid recurring landslides, road subsidence, and safety hazards.
During proceedings before the Division Bench of Justices Manish Choudhury and Yarenjungla Longkumer, the Court’s attention was drawn to earlier directions issued in the July 16 order, as well as the deteriorating condition of the highway, including recent landslides between Chainages 124 and 128, by the Amicus Curiae.
The Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, in an affidavit filed on August 12, addressed key concerns at Chainage 126, including the acquisition of land for widening the riverbank at Tsiedukhru Range (erstwhile Pagala Pahar), relocation of PHED pipelines, and human casualties from a May 30, 2025, rockfall incident.
Compensation for government-owned lands, including parcels belonging to the Department of Tourism and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), has already been disbursed.
The Additional Advocate General (AAG), Nagaland, informed the Court that PHED has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to NHIDCL, facilitating the relocation of pipelines.
Authority Engineer, NHIDCL, confirmed that the parcels of land acquired for riverbank expansion have been handed over to NHIDCL, and a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been published to carry out the widening work. The tender process has been finalised, and the Work Order to the successful bidder is imminent, he said, adding that work on riverbank expansion is expected to begin in October 2025, with completion projected within four months, and pipeline relocation will be done simultaneously.
The Authority Engineer further reported that a DPR consultant has been appointed to propose permanent solutions near River Chathe (Chainages 124–128) to prevent recurring landslides, rockfall, and road sinking. The consultant’s feasibility report is under review by NHIDCL authorities, while slope management and rockfall protection works under Packages I and III, covering Chainages 124–127, are ongoing, he added.
Meanwhile, new rock fall and landslide incidents on the same stretch landslide on September 14, causing complete halt of traffic along the stretch for several hours, the counsel for the contractor for slope management sought permission to submit an additional affidavit to address subsequent developments in the area.
The Authority Engineer also told the Court that the authority had appointed a Detailed Project Report (DPR) consultant to propose a permanent solution for the stretch with measures aimed at preventing recurring landslides, rockfall, and sinking.
The consultant’s feasibility report has been submitted and is under review at the highest level within NHIDCL, with deliberations ongoing to determine a possible permanent solution.
HE stated that progress on the DPR recommendations would be updated before the Court at the next listing of the PIL. The contractor’s counsel was also allowed to file he supplemental affidavit be filed before the next hearing.
Another concern discussed was recurrent road sinking at Chainage 164, exacerbated by massive landslides. NHIDCL authorities have proposed construction of a viaduct at the site, with proposals from two agencies forwarded to IIT Guwahati for expert opinion. The Court also noted ongoing landslides and sinkings between Chainages 172.900 km and 185.540 km, disrupting traffic and endangering public safety. Accordingly, the Court directed the Public Works Department, Nagaland, to take proactive measures and coordinate with NHIDCL to address these stretches.
The Court allowed the AAG to call the jurisdictional Executive Engineer, NPWD (NH), to assist in briefing the Court on technical matters while has been listing the matter for further hearing on October 29. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), taken up suo motu by the Court in 2019.
