TR Zeliang inspects affected site of NH-2 at Phesama on June 3. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 3
The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has reportedly assured the State Government that it will take 10 days to make the affected stretch of National Highway-2 (Kohima–Mao route) at Phesama motorable.
However, this comes with the caveat of land availability.
This was conveyed to media persons by Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who, along with top government and NHIDCL officials, inspected the affected site this afternoon.
Zeliang, who is the Minister in-charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highways, said that as an immediate measure to make the road motorable, the NHIDCL has to undertake earth cutting on the hillside.
Regarding land requirements, the Deputy Chief Minister requested the Phesama Village Council to hold a meeting with the landowner and convey the outcome to the Kohima Deputy Commissioner.
“Most probably, they (NHIDCL) will be in a position to start the work by tomorrow (June 4) if the landowner matter is resolved positively,” Zeliang told media persons.
The Executive Director (Projects) of NHIDCL Regional Office, Kohima, RP Singh, assured that once the agency gets the land, it will try to complete the work at the earliest, within 10 working days, he added.
When asked about any plans for long-term infrastructure to stabilise the landslide-prone zone, Zeliang said that for the immediate measure, “we discussed that they (NHIDCL) will start the work by tomorrow.”
However, for a long-term solution, the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) had submitted a representation to construct an alternative road, he added.
Zeliang also informed that the State Government had written to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to consider an alternative road.
He added that the NHIDCL should conduct a survey in collaboration with the landowners and submit the report to MoRTH.
