NH-29, which was completely cut-off near Melarü under Sechü-Zubza, remained closed despite the assurance made by NHIDCL executive director (ED). Although restoration works were on full swing, a large deposit of mud slurry has fully blocked the highway with no sign of the road opening any time soon.
Meanwhile, the two alternate routes—one from Mezoma-Sechüma and the other from Peducha-Tsiesema—were also in complete unmotorable rendering the travellers to go through harrowing times.
On Saturday, Mezoma villagers were busy repairing the road passing through the highway, which has witnessed sporadic landslides along the stretch of road.
Mezoma village VDB secretary informed that they were doing everything to ensure that travellers were not hampered in spite of the bad road condition.
He also said they were repairing the shortcuts since the main road passing through the village was getting too crowded. There were also reports of heavy traffic on Peducha-Tsiesema road with delays of over 1 hour on Saturday.
NAC provides essential packs: Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC) provided assistance to truckers stranded along the NH-29 due to landslide at Sechü-Zubza. On Friday, the club provided dry rations, eggs and vegetables in the form of essential packs to around 120 truckers stranded at Khuzama. On Saturday, the NAC continued its efforts and distributed around 180 packs to those stuck on the highway at Sechü-Zubza and Peducha.
NAC advisor Peter Rutsa explained that the initiative was sparked by a donation call on the Club’s official Facebook page. He said the generous response from well-wishers allowed NAC to start distributing dry rations and essentials to stranded truckers.
Commending the Naga community’s generosity, Rutsa highlighted how the spirit of charity quickly spread as several groups provided aid to the stranded truckers.
The severity of the situation is substantial, with some truckers having been stranded for up to three days, and others facing delays of as long as two months. These stranded trucks, he pointed, are vital for transporting goods and services to Kohima and beyond.
NAC president, Burakum said the club had come forward to ensure that the troubles faced by the truckers would be mitigated. He urged other groups and organisations to also come forward and donate in whichever way to the stranded drivers who were running out of rations especially clean drinking water.
Earlier in the morning, Kohima Truck Owners Union also distributed rations and veggies to the stranded truckers. At Mezoma village, youth have been providing free tea and snacks as commuters were compelled to travel the route.
On Friday, Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) distributed dry rations as relief to the stranded truckers at the Khuzama check post which borders Manipur. Likewise, several other local groups have extended relief to stranded truckers as a massive landslide along the national highway snapped Dimapur-Kohima link.