Bypass routes proposed to tackle Kohima road sinking

Deputy chief minister, T.R. Zeliang, on Monday inspected the sinking road portions at Kegwüzha/Liezocha and Kezanu/Kimho (old KMC dumping site) and said the state government had initiated both short-term and long-term measures to address the recurring problems.
He was accompanied by the district administration led by deputy commissioner, landowners of the affected areas and officials from the PWD.
Speaking to the media after the survey, TR Zeliang said the government had decided to acquire land above the road measuring around 250 metres in length and 50 metres in width to divert traffic away from the sinking stretch. He said the assessment for acquisition had been completed and payment would be made after approval of the State Land Acquisition Authority. Funds, he added, had also been provided by the state for emergency restorative works.
Zeliang pointed out that fresh sinking had been reported near Liezocha and discussions were underway with landowners and the village council to provide land for similar cutting and diversion works. “Payment will be made to the landowners, but we will need their cooperation to make the land available,” he stated.
On the overall road project, Zeliang said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had sanctioned blacktopping of the road stretch from Jotsoma Bypass Junction to Lerie Junction covering 12.6 km under NH-29.
Tendering for the work, he informed, was in its final stage. Additionally, the ministry had sanctioned Rs. 2 crore for special repairs while the state had sanctioned funds for diversion of the affected 250-metre stretch.
Explaining further, he said three layers of works were being undertaken– ongoing NH-29 works (12.6 km stretch), special repair works sanctioned by the Centre, and emergency diversion works funded by the state. However, he maintained that permanent protection was not possible as the entire hill slope was unstable. For this reason, the state had proposed alternative bypass routes to MoRTH.
According to him, two bypass options were under preparation. The first was the Niuland-Zhadima bypass, where landowner issues had been resolved, while the second was from Peducha, where the terrain was stable. The state, he said, would also propose shifting the alignment of the Kohima bypass, which is currently under construction.
Zeliang said the government was hopeful that after completion of these bypasses, commuters would not face similar difficulties in future. “This sinking issue is not new, particularly at the old dumping site. It is a recurring problem, and fighting nature is not easy. This is not a man-made calamity but a natural one, and the only permanent solution is to avoid the sinking portion by creating bypasses,” he remarked.
He also informed that the contractor for the road project would be required to maintain the road for one-and-a-half years under the defect liability period. The Centre, he said, was aware of the situation as regular reports were being sent and proposals submitted to declare the alternative bypasses as national highways.
On immediate works at the subsidence area, Zeliang said diversion would be carried out by cutting into the hillside, constructing breast walls, and channelising drainage with RCC to prevent water from disturbing the road. While this may not be a permanent solution, he expressed confidence that it would hold until bypass works were sanctioned and executed.