Workers installing rock fall barriers along the Pagla Pahar stretch of National Highway-29 on February 5, 2025. The status of the four-lane construction of NH-29 from Dimapur to Kohima is currently a matter of ongoing suo motu PIL in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench. (Morung File Photo)
HC Kohima Bench reviews erosion, landslide and rockslide issues
Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | March 13
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, has directed the Chief Engineer of Nagaland PWD (National Highways) to file an affidavit on the status of road repairs and black-topping of a 12.64 km stretch of NH-29, from Jotsoma by-pass to Lerie Gate, under the department’s jurisdiction.
The Division Bench of Justice Manish Choudhury and Justice Budi Habung issued the direction after the Amicus Curiae of the ongoing suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) submitted to the court that the condition of the stretch was “deplorable.”
Despite a work order being issued to M/s Quinker Enterprises on December 16, 2024 — for special repairs, including landslide clearance and non-bituminous restoration — with a completion deadline of three months, the court was informed that the road remained in poor condition.
The court also took into account a letter dated January 21, 2025, from the Chief Engineer, PWD (NH), Nagaland, which stated that once the repair works were completed, the department would pursue the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H), Government of India, for black-topping the stretch.
In light of the slow progress, the court ordered the Chief Engineer to submit an affidavit outlining the current status of the repairs, along with a plan for black-topping the road, to address the grievances of the public during the next hearing scheduled for April 2.
Meanwhile, the court also reviewed the issue of river erosion at Pagla Pahar, where a portion of the highway was washed away by floodwaters in 2024. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) had earlier stressed the need to expand the riverbank to prevent further erosion, which requires land acquisition and hill cutting.
In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner of Chümoukedima filed an affidavit dated March 6, confirming a joint verification conducted with NHIDCL officials, Village Council Members, and the contractor. The verification found that 34,285 sq. ft. of land was affected, and an assessment for land acquisition and damage was forwarded to the Commissioner, Nagaland, on February 10.
Thus, the court directed the DC of Chümoukedima to expedite the land acquisition process, highlighting the urgency with the rainy season approaching. It further instructed the Additional Advocate General (AAG), Nagaland, to provide an update on actions taken by the Commissioner to complete the process before the monsoon.
Concerning a November 2024 landslide in Pherima Village, which had blocked a section of the highway, the court was also informed that a joint spot verification involving NHIDCL officials, District Administration, landowners, and Village Council Members was conducted, and the damage assessment was submitted to the Commissioner, Nagaland, for further action.
The Authority Engineer and the AAG, Nagaland, also informed the court that debris clearance at Pherima was underway and expected to be completed within two weeks. Thus, the court directed the Authority Engineer to provide an updated status report at the next hearing.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima filed a compliance affidavit confirming the removal of landslide debris at Zubza, which Amicus Curiae Taka Masa also verified after an inspection.
However, the court instructed the contractor for the Bailey Steel Bridge to file an affidavit updating the status of the ongoing bridge construction within two weeks.
The court also discussed the Slope Construction Project at Pagla Pahar — covering hill slope scaling and rock fall barrier installation from km 123.840 to 127.480 — awarded to M/s Maccaferri Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. The company pledged to complete the project by May 31, 2025.
The court scheduled the next hearing for April 2, 2025, instructing the Nagaland PWD Chief Engineer to include details of the black-topping plan for the 12.64 km stretch in the upcoming affidavit. It further directed NHIDCL and all relevant authorities to submit progress reports on land acquisition, debris clearance, and ongoing construction work.
