Dimapur | August 14 : National Highway 29 was partially opened Sunday evening making it possible for small vehicles to cross. According to the Border Roads Organisation, a labour force of around seventy backed by heavy machinery worked all through the night till Sunday evening.
However, vehicles will be allowed to pass only on Monday morning, after dawn. Dimapur police said that this is being necessitated in order to avoid any mishaps. Dimapur police on behalf of the district administration and the BRO further extended gratitude to the Chumukedima Town Council for their assistance.
When mediapersons visited the affected sites Sunday afternoon, the smaller slides had already been cleared while work was still going on at three major portions - Chumukedima Police Check Post and at two points beyond. By nightfall workers were almost clearing the last of the debris at one of the major sites about 4-5 kilometres away from the checkpost. A stranded mini-truck (poultry carrier) was also found damaged in this portion.
Vehicular movement by dawn Monday
Shailendra Kumar, Officer Commanding, 89 RCC, Zubza, who was at the site, said that without counting the smaller and medium sized portions, there were six large slides affecting about 4-kilometre stretch of the road between Chumukedima Police Check Post and Jharnapani. Excluding the big ones, this reporter counted about 19 small and 2 medium sized slides falling at regular intervals. These portions had already been cleared though.
Kumar said that they were caught off guard as landslides of such magnitude were unforeseen in this portion of the highway. Prior to Saturday’s massive rock and mud slides, a majority of the workforce and machinery were concentrated at the Kohima portion of the highway. Nevertheless, he said they will remain alert, hereafter.
He surmised that ‘cloudburst’ could have been the cause which triggered the unexpected landslides. Cloudburst is a phenomenon during which an extreme amount of precipitation can occur within a space of few minutes. The results are usually disastrous.
Govt appreciates landslide-clearing efforts
Dimapur, August 14 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland and the Chief Minister’s Office is appreciative of the government agencies and the public for working hard in efforts of clearing landslide-hit National Highway 29 between Chumukedima and Kukidolong. “On August 13, 2011 this section of the road was adversely damaged by more than a dozen landslides and rock falls bringing all vehicular movement to a complete halt,” a message from the Chief Minister’s Office said today.
Dimapur, August 14 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland and the Chief Minister’s Office is appreciative of the government agencies and the public for working hard in efforts of clearing landslide-hit National Highway 29 between Chumukedima and Kukidolong. “On August 13, 2011 this section of the road was adversely damaged by more than a dozen landslides and rock falls bringing all vehicular movement to a complete halt,” a message from the Chief Minister’s Office said today.
“Collective efforts and coordination between various agencies ensured the opening of the highway this evening as movement of vehicle was restored by 5PM,” the CMO’s message appended by media secretary to CM Abu Metha, said.
The state government appreciates and thanks the Border Roads Organization, the state Public Works Department, the district administration and police, Chumukedima Town Council, the Dimapur Municipal Council and the public of the area. They all have worked round the clock in coordination to ensure public convenience, the CMO said in acknowledgement.
Commissioner & Secretary (PWD) inspects landslide areas
Commissioner & Secretary PWD, Temjen Toy on Sunday inspected the gravity of the road blockade caused by multiple massive landslides which occurred in the wee hours of 13th August 2011, at Pakla Pahar area, stretching from Chumukedima Police check gate to near Jarnapani area. The Border Roads Organisation were found clearing the mudslides and debris the whole night and according to the Commander, BRTF Col. Tejpal Singh, with all the available machineries pressed into service the road is expected to be pliable at least for light vehicles by 6 p.m. onwards by 14th August 2011.
Commissioner & secretary, Temjen Toy, having been on the spot for several hours made a request to the public to maintain traffic discipline, in order to facilitate the road clearing without hindrance. There were as many as 6 major mudslides and numerous minor slides in the area. Scores of vehicles including passenger buses have been stranded due to the road blockade. Stranded for hours without food and water most of the passengers braved the knee deep slush to make it to the other side carrying their belongings. Temjen Toy was accompanied by CE, R&B, AIG, PHQ and IPR officials.
