Rockfall Incident on NH-29 Prompts Immediate Response and Safety Measures
DIMAPUR, July 6 – In the aftermath of a vehicle damage caused by falling rocks along the ‘Pagla Pahar’ stretch of National Highway-29, workers from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) were seen clearing debris from the road. The incident, which occurred on July 5, resulted in injuries to four vehicle occupants, leading to the partial closure of the highway from Patkai Bridge Junction to New Chümoukedima Junction, a span of over 4 kilometers.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, highlighted the state’s ongoing concerns over safety measures on NH-29. Addressing the issue on Facebook, Zeliang confirmed that a short-term maintenance contract for safety measures had been assigned alongside the main four-lane construction contract. The measures come amidst memories of a similar incident exactly a year ago, which resulted in two fatalities and three injuries.
During a recent review meeting with NHIDCL and the maintenance contractor, directives were issued to expedite safety protocols ahead of the monsoon season. Zeliang stated that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had mandated immediate action to enhance road safety.
Expressing sorrow for the recent incident, Zeliang assured that the state government would pursue accountability rigorously. He reiterated that post the 2022 incident, the state had promptly engaged with NHIDCL and put in place specific safety contracts. In response to public concern about governmental inaction, Zeliang emphasized the practical steps taken and regretted the recurrence of the accident.
On July 5, the Commissioner of Police in Dimapur issued a safety advisory, urging extreme caution for travelers along this vulnerable stretch during heavy rainfall and minimizing non-essential travel. Despite preventive measures such as safety nets, wire walls, and metal guardrails, the effectiveness remains to be fully realized.
Following the latest rockslide, a High-Level Technical Committee was reportedly established to investigate and report within two weeks, promising further governmental action. However, specific details of the committee’s findings remain undisclosed.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/highway-to-peril
Category : Nagaland
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