Dimapur | August 21 : Another bout of rain again blocked National Highway 29 at the stretch between Patkai Bridge and Jharnapani on Sunday, August 21. The previous night’s heavy downpour triggered the already disturbed hills to drop loose earth and rock onto the highway stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Mud and rock slides occurred at the same locations, nine in total including minor and major cases, which were affected last week. According to BRO workers at the site, about four were large in scale. The most severely affected was again the Chumukedima Police Check Post, two beyond towards Jharnapani and one a few metres away from Patkai Bridge.
Mud and rock slides occurred at the same locations, nine in total including minor and major cases, which were affected last week. According to BRO workers at the site, about four were large in scale. The most severely affected was again the Chumukedima Police Check Post, two beyond towards Jharnapani and one a few metres away from Patkai Bridge.
No remedial mechanism worth mention as of now
According to one policeman stationed at the checkpost, they had a sleepless night as the rains started pouring about eight o’clock and never seemed to stop. Last week’s nightmarish ordeal was still fresh in his mind. He said that the personnel prepared for any eventuality keeping their vehicles on the ready. Fortunately, the mud slides were not as serious as last weeks yet it did stop vehicular movement. Even if it had gotten worse, they could not have escaped far as massive rocks had fallen on the road near Patkai bridge, he said.
Two vehicles, one a carrier truck and the other a passenger van, got stuck on the swampy slush during the night. The vehicles had taken a chance at making way before it got any worse.
The occupants had to take refuge for the night at one of the sleeping quarters, the policemen narrated.
Come morning, hundreds of vehicles on both ends of the stretch were stranded till afternoon as the BRO assisted by the Dimapur Municipal Council and the Chumukedima Town Council struggled to clear the debris since morning. The DMC provided two excavators while the CTC one. One of the excavators belonging to the BRO broke down. The road was partially cleared for traffic at about little past noon.
Call it a blessing in disguise, the clearing of debris took less time than anticipated as the Chief Minister’s motorcade was scheduled to take the route from Kohima to Dimapur. The motorcade crossed the affected area at about 3:00 pm with the CM making brief inspections along the way.
According to one policeman stationed at the checkpost, they had a sleepless night as the rains started pouring about eight o’clock and never seemed to stop. Last week’s nightmarish ordeal was still fresh in his mind. He said that the personnel prepared for any eventuality keeping their vehicles on the ready. Fortunately, the mud slides were not as serious as last weeks yet it did stop vehicular movement. Even if it had gotten worse, they could not have escaped far as massive rocks had fallen on the road near Patkai bridge, he said.
Two vehicles, one a carrier truck and the other a passenger van, got stuck on the swampy slush during the night. The vehicles had taken a chance at making way before it got any worse.
The occupants had to take refuge for the night at one of the sleeping quarters, the policemen narrated.
Come morning, hundreds of vehicles on both ends of the stretch were stranded till afternoon as the BRO assisted by the Dimapur Municipal Council and the Chumukedima Town Council struggled to clear the debris since morning. The DMC provided two excavators while the CTC one. One of the excavators belonging to the BRO broke down. The road was partially cleared for traffic at about little past noon.
Call it a blessing in disguise, the clearing of debris took less time than anticipated as the Chief Minister’s motorcade was scheduled to take the route from Kohima to Dimapur. The motorcade crossed the affected area at about 3:00 pm with the CM making brief inspections along the way.
‘Assessment of landslide affected roads underway’
The CM’s motorcade made a brief stoppage near Patkai Bridge, during which the local media got an opportunity to interact with the CM. Not much good news, if any, could be had from him though. He was asked whether the government has on the plans any concrete or significant remedial initiative for the distressed highway. The query was sidestepped with the CM rather choosing to dwell on the reasons and cause behind the landslides. Seated in his SUV, he said that one is helpless against nature. He though added that the government is making assessments, not only of the much distressed NH 29 but also in all the districts where roads are affected by landslides. The assessments whether they will come to fruition, only time will tell. Nevertheless, the state government is making all efforts and is coordinating with the BRO, he said. The public of the nearby surrounding is also assisting with the clearing work.
The CM was further prodded whether the government is planning on shifting the Chumukedima Police Check post to a safer location. He replied that it would not be apt to say, “It’s not safe” citing landslips are temporary and occasional occurrences. Earlier, Minister for Roads & Bridges Kaito Aye was also there at the site. He echoed a similar view of the CM’s stating there is no remedy as of now, since it is a natural cause.
The state government is monitoring the situation alongwith the BRO. NH 29, beginning from Dimapur to till the border with Manipur is under the charge of the BRO. He however expressed dissatisfaction at the current progress of work under the charge of the premiere road maintenance organization.
Niuland-Zhadima route can be taken as an alternative but only for light vehicles. Aye further expressed his appreciation to the district administration, the municipal authorities of Dimapur and Chumukedima and East Dimapur Adhoc Council.
The CM was further prodded whether the government is planning on shifting the Chumukedima Police Check post to a safer location. He replied that it would not be apt to say, “It’s not safe” citing landslips are temporary and occasional occurrences. Earlier, Minister for Roads & Bridges Kaito Aye was also there at the site. He echoed a similar view of the CM’s stating there is no remedy as of now, since it is a natural cause.
The state government is monitoring the situation alongwith the BRO. NH 29, beginning from Dimapur to till the border with Manipur is under the charge of the BRO. He however expressed dissatisfaction at the current progress of work under the charge of the premiere road maintenance organization.
Niuland-Zhadima route can be taken as an alternative but only for light vehicles. Aye further expressed his appreciation to the district administration, the municipal authorities of Dimapur and Chumukedima and East Dimapur Adhoc Council.
