KOHIMA: Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, chaired a meeting with representatives of the North East Federation of Truck Owners and Drivers Union (NEFTOD&TU) at his office chamber on July 21 to discuss issues concerning restrictions on heavy vehicle movement along NH 29 and NH 2 and other matters affecting the trucking community.
According to a DIPR report, the DC acknowledged receipt of the federation’s representation and noted that the concerns raised were not confined to a single state but affected the wider region. Recalling the cooperation extended by the trucking community during past interstate disruptions, he assured that the administration would examine the issues raised through discussion and coordination. He also urged the union to cooperate in addressing matters such as identification of abandoned vehicles and unnecessary honking.
Referring to the ongoing construction of the Kohima bypass and the fragile condition of NH 29 and NH 2 during the monsoon, Buchem explained that the restriction on movement of 10 wheel configuration and overloaded heavy vehicles from June to October 2026 was a temporary measure taken after deliberations during the Chief Minister’s meeting on May 29, 2026, to ensure road safety and uninterrupted traffic.
Speaking on behalf of the federation, the NEFTOD&TU president appreciated the district administration for convening the meeting but appealed for a review of the restriction along the Kohima Mao stretch of NH 2. He said the suspension had caused severe financial hardship to truck owners and drivers, many of whom were servicing vehicle loans, and requested consideration for allowing 16 wheel trucks with a maximum load of 35 metric tonnes under regulated conditions.
The federation further proposed the constitution of a joint monitoring committee comprising officials from the district administration, police, transport department, NHIDCL/PWD and union representatives to oversee vehicle movement and weight checks. It suggested mandatory weighing of trucks at designated weighbridges with clearance slips, strict enforcement against overloading, deployment of union representatives during weight measurement, identification of alternate routes for overloaded vehicles, and periodic updates from NHIDCL on bridge repair progress with a definite timeline for restoration of normal traffic.
It also recommended monitoring vehicle loads at the Dimapur weighbridge and requested that restrictions remain time bound to minimise disruption to transport of essential commodities and trade.
