ADGP (Admn) Renchamo P. Kikon, SP Kohima Krodi Rhetso and Addl. SP (Traffic) Puzoto Khatso during a press conference at Police Headquarters, Kohima on November 29. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 29
To ensure smooth traffic flow, safety and convenience during the 10-day Hornbill Festival 2025, the Kohima Police on Saturday announced a detailed traffic management plan and urged the public to cooperate with the regulations.
From December 1–10, heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter Kohima between 7 am and 10 pm. Heavy vehicles coming from Manipur will be diverted via Kidima–Chakhabama–BSF/Keyake–NBCC/High Court Meriema–10 Mile–Peducha.
Addressing a press briefing at the Police Headquarters, Renchamo P. Kikon, ADGP (Administration), said traffic management during the Hornbill Festival has shown marked improvement over the years. He added that a three-tier security arrangement has been put in place for the festival and that no armed personnel will be allowed inside the Kisama venue.
Presenting the detailed traffic and parking plan, Addl. SP (Traffic) Puzoto Khatso said vehicles with valid car passes will enter through Gate-1 and park near Gate-2. All vehicles must be parked in designated zones according to car-pass categories—Z at the main arena/WWII Museum, X, Y and PwD at the parking lot near Gate-2, and organisers and artistes at the amphitheatre.
To streamline vehicle movement at the venue, vendor car passes will not be permitted through Gate-1. Vendor entry will be allowed only before 9 am and after 6 pm via Japfü Christian College, proceeding through Legislators’ Park Road and exiting through Imagiland after drop-off.
Exit routes
Khatso said vehicles parked near Gate-2 and heading towards Manipur or southern routes will exit via Imagiland, while vehicles bound for Kohima will exit through the Rhododendron Resort/NH route. Additional parking for LMVs is being arranged at Phesama Ground.
Alternate routes & parking rules
To ease congestion, vehicles coming from Dimapur and Chümoukedima may use an alternate route via Old KMC Check Gate–Jotsoma–Nagaland College of Music & Fine Arts–Forest Colony–BSNL Exchange–PHQ Point–Phesama–Kisama.
Vehicle owners have been advised to paste their contact numbers on their windshields for emergencies. Police warned that vehicles parked along the NH between Phesama Old Check Gate and Kisama will be towed without warning under Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Offenders will bear a towing charge of Rs 1,500 and face penalties of Rs 500 under Section 201.
Drone use
Khatso said individuals or departments intending to operate drones at the festival must obtain prior permission from Police Headquarters. Violators will face legal action.
Shuttle services & parking
A total of 35 free shuttle buses will operate from designated parking zones to Kisama, while the NST will run 10 paid shuttle buses—five from PHQ Point (Rs 50) and five from ISBT (Rs 80). Shuttle buses will enter through Gate-1, drop passengers near Gate-2, and exit via Imagiland to NH/Parking Lot.
Visitors without car passes must use the paid parking at Kigwema Public Ground. Free shuttle services will ferry them to and from the Kisama venue. Parking management will be overseen by the local village authorities.
Army escort trucks and armed personnel will not be allowed entry into the main festival arena and must park at Kigwema Ground.
Traffic plan for Hornbill Night Carnival
For the Night Carnival, the road stretch from Y-Junction (Phoolbari) to Razhü Point will be closed to vehicles from 4 pm to 9 pm daily from December 1. All LMVs will be diverted from Y-Junction to Razhü via the new route adjacent to Khuochiezie (Local Ground).
Heavy public utility vehicles heading to High School Junction will be diverted from TCP Gate. There will be no entry from New Market Road to New NST. Southern-bound buses will terminate at Phoolbari, while northern-bound buses will terminate at Razhü Point.
