Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Hushili Sema (third from right ) with the members of CTC at the landslide site near Chumukedima Police check post today. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR | AUGUST 14 : National Highway 29 connecting Dimapur-Kohima remained completely cut off for the second day as the Chumukedima Town Council (CTC) and district administration went overdrive to restore the highway, which is also the life-line of neighbouring Manipur state. Around 20 landslides between Chumukedima, some 15km from the commercial hub Dimapur, and Jharnapani has completely cut off transport and communication between the capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur.
Continuing the clearing drive, CTC pressed into service five excavators (JCBs)early Sunday morning to clear the mudslides falling on Chumukedima jurisdiction, even as a couple of excavators and tractors also worked on the Jharnapani side to clear the highway. Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Hushili Sema, who also visited the landslide site near Chumukedima Police check post on Sunday morning, said that there are 18 landslide spots, including 4 major slides, between Chumukedima and Jharnapani and that it might take a couple of days to restore the highway.
EAC Chumukedima and administrator CTC, Alongdhimen Jamir, who also visited the landslide areas on Saturday and Sunday, also concurred that it would take at least two days for resumption of traffic on NH-29. The Chumukedima Town Council (CTC) which is supervising the clearing and restoration works, is facing an uphill task as the state government agencies and Border Roads Organization (BRO) which is maintaining the highway have not responded to the call of natural calamity as expected.
While acknowledging the visit of DC Dimapur and support of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and district administration, CTC chief advisor T Shuya said that the CTC being a small town council going with limited human power and financial resources, was going through a hard phase in mobilizing machineries and labour for the clearance works. The CTC chief advisor however assured that CTC would not spare any effort or expenses to see that the highway is restored at the earliest possible time.
Another CTC advisor Seyie-u Keyho lamented that the BRO have not done their due share in the ongoing restoration and clearing works since, in the first place, the BRO was responsible for maintenance of the highway. “The central government, particularly the BRO, should reserve exigency fund for unexpected natural calamities such as this. After all, maintenance of national highways it is not the responsibility of civic bodies,” Keyho added.
Continuing the clearing drive, CTC pressed into service five excavators (JCBs)early Sunday morning to clear the mudslides falling on Chumukedima jurisdiction, even as a couple of excavators and tractors also worked on the Jharnapani side to clear the highway. Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Hushili Sema, who also visited the landslide site near Chumukedima Police check post on Sunday morning, said that there are 18 landslide spots, including 4 major slides, between Chumukedima and Jharnapani and that it might take a couple of days to restore the highway.
EAC Chumukedima and administrator CTC, Alongdhimen Jamir, who also visited the landslide areas on Saturday and Sunday, also concurred that it would take at least two days for resumption of traffic on NH-29. The Chumukedima Town Council (CTC) which is supervising the clearing and restoration works, is facing an uphill task as the state government agencies and Border Roads Organization (BRO) which is maintaining the highway have not responded to the call of natural calamity as expected.
While acknowledging the visit of DC Dimapur and support of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and district administration, CTC chief advisor T Shuya said that the CTC being a small town council going with limited human power and financial resources, was going through a hard phase in mobilizing machineries and labour for the clearance works. The CTC chief advisor however assured that CTC would not spare any effort or expenses to see that the highway is restored at the earliest possible time.
Another CTC advisor Seyie-u Keyho lamented that the BRO have not done their due share in the ongoing restoration and clearing works since, in the first place, the BRO was responsible for maintenance of the highway. “The central government, particularly the BRO, should reserve exigency fund for unexpected natural calamities such as this. After all, maintenance of national highways it is not the responsibility of civic bodies,” Keyho added.
