Restoration work continues on a landslide-hit mountain slope amid heavy mist, with excavators and workers engaged in clearing and stabilising the affected stretch. (File Photo)
Kohima, August 14 (MExN): The District Magistrate and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kohima, has temporarily prohibited all heavy vehicles bound for Manipur from entering Kohima district with immediate effect, citing severe road damage, active sinking zones and landslides along several vital routes.
The order was issued by B Henok Buchem under Section 34 (b), (c) and (m) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, read with relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in the interest of public safety and to prevent loss of life and property.
A joint inspection team comprising officials from the district administration, Kohima Traffic Police, NPWD, NHIDCL, the North East Federation of Truck Owners, Drivers and Trade Union, and concerned village representatives observed critical road damage from the New Capital Complex Area (Phizo Hill) Junction to the Kidima-Pudunamei Junction.
The inspection highlighted several active sinking zones, particularly near Chainage KM 30 of the Kohima Bypass under Package-3, where substantial road subsidence has rendered the stretch completely unserviceable for all forms of vehicular traffic. Restoration is estimated to take a minimum of 15 days.
The NH-29 stretch from DBS to BSF Camp, Keyake, has also been heavily damaged at multiple locations, with active sinking zones making it completely unserviceable for heavy motor vehicles.
The Executive Engineer, PWD (NH), Kohima, in a report dated August 12, corroborated the deteriorated and unsafe conditions along the affected stretches and called for immediate regulation, diversion and restriction of vehicular movement to prevent risks to human life and property.
Separately, the Deputy General Manager (Projects), PMU-Jakhama, NHIDCL, reported that a massive landslide occurred on the night of August 11 at the Phesama Sinking Zone, between Chainage 191+840 and 192+100, along the Kohima-Mao section of NH-02.
The landslide caused severe slope instability and significant damage to the existing carriageway, rendering the affected stretch unfit for vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian movement.
The DDMA said the landslides, road sinking and falling debris posed an imminent threat to public safety, property and the structural integrity of road infrastructure along vital routes in Kohima district.
Under the order, all heavy vehicles bound for Manipur have been advised to divert through Peren district, subject to restrictions and regulations imposed by the competent authorities there regarding heavy vehicular movement.
Light motor vehicles (LMVs) will continue to ply through the Phesama-Kisama-Kigwema diversion route via Rhododendron Resort for movement in both directions, subject to prevailing road and weather conditions and directions issued by competent authorities.
In view of active landslides, subsidence and related hazards, pedestrians have been strictly advised not to enter, cross or pass through the affected zones under any circumstances.
The EPC contractors, NHIDCL, PWD (NH) and the Engineering Wing of the Urban Development Department have been directed to immediately deploy machinery and manpower for emergency restoration measures at three locations — Kohima Bypass Package-3 at Chainage KM 30; the NH-29 stretch from DBS to BSF Camp, Keyake; and the urban road stretch from the New Capital Complex Area (Phizo Hill) to BSF Camp, Keyake.
All concerned departments, transport operators, drivers, commuters and the general public have been directed to strictly comply with the order.
Any person or agency found violating the directions will be liable to action under applicable laws, rules and regulations. The order came into force with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.
