Boulders splayed on the cliff-side in one segment of the Chümoukedima-Kukidolong stretch of the Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane highway, NH 29, on July 7. (Morung Photo)
Says plans afoot for tunnels and bridges
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 7
Officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) clarified that no rockfall occurred in the Tsiedukhru range on July 6, contrary to reports circulating online. A video clip shared on social media had prompted rumours of a rockfall in the landslide-prone Tsiedukhru range, in Chümoukedima, formerly known to locals as Pagla Pahar (crazy hill).
While it was purportedly an old clip, the NHIDCL officials revealed debris had fallen at a few locations on July 6. Manish Kumar, Deputy General Manager (DGM), Project Monitoring Unit, Dimapur, said, “Yesterday, small debris fell at two or three locations.”
His colleague, an engineer, identified only as George added, “We can assure you that the video is not from yesterday, and that area is not a part of the NHIDCL stretch.”
The officials confirmed that the previous day's incident involved only small boulders, though some locations remain hazardous. The DGM said that the NHIDCL had requested the Chümoukedima district administration to close the left-hand side of the road starting from the Chathe Bridge, covering locations prone to rockfall, and to divert traffic to the right-hand side. The Deputy Commissioner issued a travel advisory later in the afternoon.
According to Kumar, the NHIDCL has engaged maintenance contractors to monitor the site daily and clear falling debris. He said, “For Package 2, there is an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor. For Package-I we have an STMC (Short-Term Maintenance Contract) contractor... They have all been advised to monitor the site daily, clear any debris, and take necessary day-to-day actions.” Package-I includes the Tsiedukhru range.
The NHIDCL officials rejected claims that the construction was substandard, noting that the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had declared the previous year's incident a natural disaster.
They said that plans are afoot to address safety concerns for the 45 km stretch from the Chathe Bridge to the Jotsoma bypass in Kohima. Disclosing that the Detailed Project Report was at an advanced stage, they said that the proposal includes the construction of bridges and tunnels as long-term measures.
“Natural calamities cannot be entirely avoided. However, as for the precautionary measures we have planned, we have already laid out our plan,” George said.
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