Hovishe village and Ghotovi village under Niuland district on Wednesday announced their decision to lift the ban on vehicular movement on Niuland-Zhadima Road with effect from September 17, 2025.
In a joint declaration signed by EAC Niuland Vitoka Yepthomi, EE PWD (R&B) Z Inaho Sema, Ghotovi village head GB, G Kawoto Zhimomi and Hovishe village head GB Katoho stated that decision to lift ban was taken after assurance from the office of the chief engineer PWD (R&B) that Niuland-Zhadima road has been prioritized for inclusion in the upcoming plans schemes and has been recommended for 2025-26 consideration under the Central road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) priority list.
However, it was declared that failure to act on the assurances would be met with “appropriate democratic action.”
ZVC concerned over neglect of alt routes
The Zhadima Village Council (ZVC) has expressed serious concern over what it described as the prolonged neglect of two vital roads linking the state capital Kohima with the commercial hub Dimapur.
In a joint statement, ZVC chairman Neilalhoulie Soliezuo and VDB secretary Roko Angami pointed out that the Kohima-Bokajan road via Zhadima-Niuland to Dimapur was among the oldest routes in Nagaland, constructed by the British during World War II. Measuring about 68 kilometres, the road has long served as an alternate lifeline whenever NH-29 faced disruptions. However, ZVC lamented that despite its historic and strategic importance, the road had been left neglected.
ZVC also drew attention to the Capital Bypass Road from Kohima to Dimapur via Tsiesema-Zhadima-Viphoma-Niuland, measuring about 56 kilometres. While construction under Phase-III (Kohima-Tsiesema) had been completed and Phase-II (Zhadima-Viphoma) was nearing completion and motorable, Phase-I (Niuland–Dimapur) remained incomplete owing to unresolved land issues, it stated.
According to ZVC, the stipulated period for completing the bypass project had already lapsed but work remained unfinished. It questioned why the concerned department had failed to deliver despite repeated assurances, remarking that while one important road had been left in isolation, the other remained incomplete “for reasons best known to the department.”
The council recalled that the issue was deliberated at length during the Nagaland Legislative Assembly last year, yet no positive outcome emerged. It asserted that if the department was unable to resolve the matter, the State Government must intervene and take decisive steps to ease the hardships faced by the people.
Extending solidarity with Hovishe and Ghotovi villages over what it termed prolonged government inaction, the ZVC, however, appealed to the two villages to reconsider their decision to impose an indefinite ban on vehicular movement, keeping in mind the plight of ordinary citizens already suffering due to the condition of NH-29.
While acknowledging the frustration caused by years of neglect and delay, the council urged all parties to allow good sense to prevail and to resolve the matter amicably through dialogue and negotiation. It maintained that only such an approach would safeguard the welfare and larger interests of the people.
RANPO supports demand for road construction
The Ralan Aghunaqa Naga Public Organisation (RANPO) has extended support to the demand of Ghotovi and Hovishe villages for immediate construction of the Niuland-Ghotovi-Tsogin-Zhadima–Kohima road, an alternate and crucial route to the State capital.
RANPO president Mughavi Awomi and general secretary C.S. Ovung said that the only major road currently connecting Dimapur and Kohima via Chümoukedima had become highly unreliable. It pointed out that frequent landslides at Paglapahar, road blockages and prolonged traffic disruptions have caused severe hardships to commuters, traders, students and government employees. It maintained that whenever the main highway was cut off by landslides, Niuland–Zhadima route “suddenly becomes a lifeline.”
RANPO lamented that despite over two decades since its initial clearing, the road remained neglected and no comprehensive efforts were made to upgrade it into a proper 2-lane road. It emphasised that the road was not only shorter but could also save time, reduce congestion and ease traffic into the State capital.
Further, the organisation stated that the route would link Niuland, Dimapur and Chümoukedima, while also connecting Niuland to the Rengmapani–Ralan–Aghunaqa area, benefiting more than 100 Naga villages and extending connectivity to Assam via Bokajan. It said the road would also directly serve the people of Wokha, Tseminyu, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Eastern Nagaland, thereby strengthening regional connectivity.
Recalling that the state government had earlier assured construction of the road, RANPO expressed disappointment that despite repeated promises, no tangible progress had been made. The organisation therefore urged the government to prioritise this long-pending project without further delay.
RSZ and WSYF urge govt to restore road
Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) and Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) have underlined the urgent need for restoring and developing Kohima-Dimapur road via Zhadima-Tsogin-Niuland and demanded that the state government, through its concerned department, prioritize the repairing, upgrading and preparing of Zhadima-Tsogin-Niuland road without delay.
In a joint statement, RSZ president Kegwayhun Tep and WSYF president Atokiho Sumi stated that Zhadima-Tsogin-Niuland road, the only viable alternative route connecting Kohima and Dimapur, had long been neglected despite immense utility. They said that Zhadima-Tsogin-Niuland road, unlike the main highway, had the potential to serve as an all-season road that could significantly ease the heavy traffic congestion between the State’s capital and commercial hub.
However, they stated that its present deplorable condition has rendered nearly unusable, causing immense hardships to commuters, transporters and the public. In this regard, the two youth bodies appealed to the responsible department to take cognizance of the matter and immediately initiate measures for its restoration. RSZ and WSYF asserted that developing this road into a reliable all-weather road was not merely a matter of convenience but of necessity.
They said it would not only benefit Kohima and Dimapur but also provide lifeline connectivity to all inter-district commuters.
The two bodies said that public had long borne the brunt of administrative negligence on the matter, adding that any further delay would only compound the hardships faced by travellers and villagers alike.
RSZ and WSYF reaffirmed that the demand was raised in the interest of all communities who stand to benefit from this vital road connectivity. They urged the government to act with urgency and restore this road to a serviceable standard at the earliest.