Alternate route needed

Expansion of National Highway 29 (NH 29) from Dimapur (Purana Bazar) to Kohima a distance of around 78 kms into a four-lane road has become a symbol of inefficiency and neglect in Nagaland. Despite the project’s commencement in 2015 and multiple deadline extensions, the work remains far from complete even as it enters its ninth year. This stands in stark contrast to the Guwahati-Jorabat to Shillong four-lane project,a distance of around 91 kms which began in 2010 and was completed within five years. The width of the 4-lane between Dimapur to Kohima is not as wide in most places when compared with the 4-lane highway between Guwahati to Shillong. There is every reason for various organisations to do some home work to ascertain whether the technical specifications are being followed. This will be another contribution for the interest of the people and their progress. The NH 29 expansion was originally slated for completion by 2018, but deadlines have been continually pushed back—first to 2019, then to 2021, 2022, 2023, and now March 2024. The repeated delays have caused significant frustration and concern, particularly as the unfinished road has become notorious for hazardous conditions, leading to frequent landslides and rock fall. These incidents underscore the pressing need for safety and accountability in the ongoing construction. The issue was prominently discussed during the recent fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, held from August 27 to 29. BJP legislator Imkong L. Imchen raised concerns about the prolonged construction on the stretch from Chathe Bridge to the Kohima bypass, noting that the project has dragged on far longer than anticipated. Imchen pointed out that the terrain in areas like Pagala Pahar is not conducive to a four-lane road, an issue he had flagged before the project’s initiation. He argued that the soil condition and demographic layout of the region were not suitable for such a large-scale road expansion, and there is no guarantee that the road will be safe or motorable anytime soon. Imchen said he had strongly advocated for the state government to consider alternative routes. He proposed developing roads like the Kohima-Zhadima-Niuland route, which could serve as a vital link between Kohima and Dimapur. This alternative would provide a much-needed option for travelers, given the ongoing issues with NH 29. Imchen criticized the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for its “casual approach” to the recurring landslides and rockfalls, warning that if this attitude persists, the problems will never be resolved. He also highlighted the financial waste, noting that the government spends significant funds on these roads each year, only for the work to be undone by poor construction and natural disasters. Another BJP legislator, Kropol Vitsu, echoed Imchen’s concerns, emphasizing that NHIDCL seems oblivious to the severe connectivity issues that the people of Nagaland face. He urged the state government to explore and develop alternate routes, stressing the importance of reliable connections between Kohima, the state capital, and Dimapur, its commercial hub. Vitsu also accused NHIDCL of failing to adhere to the specifications set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), resulting in newly constructed roads quickly deteriorating. The situation with NH 29 is a glaring example of mismanagement and delayed development that is costing the people of Nagaland dearly. Without urgent intervention and a shift in approach, the project risks becoming a perpetual source of frustration and danger for the region.