Nagaland NH-29 rockslide: 6000 cubic metres of rock need to be removed from ‘Pagla Pahar,’ says NHIDCL

In this photo taken on July 6, 2024, overhanging stones and debris are seen on the mountainside of National Highway-29 in ‘Pagla Pahar’, a day after the stretch was hit by another rockslide. One side of the highway, covering a distance of over 4 kilometres from Chathe Bridge Junction to New Chümoukedima Junction, has remained closed to traffic since July 4, 2023, when another rockslide occurred, claiming two lives. (Morung File Photo)

HC Kohima Bench issues series of directives to concerned authorities and contactors

Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 31 

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on August 30 that approximately 6,000 cubic metres of rock must be removed from above the ‘Pagla Pahar’ stretch of National Highway-29 to prevent future rockfalls.

Appearing in person before the Division Bench of Justice Nelson Sailo and Justice Budi Habung on August 30, the Executive Director (P) of the NHIDCL Regional Office (Kohima), RP Singh, further submitted that only about 1,500 cubic metres had been removed so far. 

He added that the road would have to be completely blocked for a certain period to allow the work to be carried out with the permission of the Chümoukedima district magistrate.

Responding to pointed questions from the Court regarding rockfalls along NH-29, particularly at the Pagla Pahar area, Singh stated that M/S Innovative Construction had been engaged for the exercise and would require at least 80 hours of work to remove the entire 6,000 cubic metres of rock.

Meanwhile, highlighting some measures taken by the NHIDCL to prevent future incidents following the rockfalls, particularly in July 2023 and 2024, the Executive Director said that metal crush barriers had been installed within the 5-kilometre stretch of the mountain, approximately 1.2 to 1.6 metres high. However, he admitted that such measures were temporary and that the NHIDCL had other plans to address the situation.

In view of these submissions, the Court directed the Deputy Commissioner Chümoukedima to work out a suitable timing with the NHIDCL authority for closing the road to enable the overhang removal of the rocks. However, it emphasised that this should be done without causing undue inconvenience to vehicles using that road.

Regarding the ongoing landslide near Dzüdza Bridge under Sechu Zubza, the Executive Director, who is also the appointed Nodal Officer for the project, submitted that the NHIDCL and the engaged contractors – M/S Brand Eagles (road works) and M/S Maccaferri Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (slopes) – were on the ground making all attempts to clear the road.

He also informed the Court of a meeting on August 26 at the Chief Secretary Office and his letter to the State Authority regarding the problems faced in clearing the mudslide. 

Among other issues, Singh highlighted that there were streams, ponds, and also a stone quarry high above the road, resulting in continuous mudslides despite ongoing clearance efforts.

He also maintained that while the right-of-way (RoW) available to the companies for the project was only 45 metres, they were required to work beyond this due to the landslide.

He noted that the road had been cleared to some extent to allow vehicles to pass through, but it was also sinking. This indicated that the effects of the landslide were extending towards the lower side of the highway, requiring remedial steps.

The Executive Director stated that the NHIDCL alone would not be able to contain the situation and that the state authorities would also need to consider providing assistance. Citing a survey, he also noted that 16 other locations had been identified where landslides had occurred under Package III.

The Authority Engineer of Package III informed the Court that M/S Brand Eagles had been awarded (re) the road works contract in September 2023 and that the physical progress was only 15.88%. 

In response, the Court noted that given the completion deadline of September 2025, the work completed so far seemed to be on the lower side. Accordingly, the Court directed the Authority Engineer to ensure that the pace of the work was increased to meet the timeline.

Meanwhile, the DC Kohima was also directed to regulate traffic passing through the landslide area as only a certain portion of the road had been cleared. The DC was further tasked with providing necessary security to the workers on the ground if this had not already been done.

AAG Nagaland claims ‘detailed plan’ to address  landslide 
The Additional Advocate General (AAG) Nagaland, Imti Imsong, presented an ‘action taken report’ and a detailed plan to address the landslide issue in the Dzüdza stretch. He explained that a committee had been set up by the District Disaster Management Authority Kohima to study and suggest mitigation measures, and a field survey had been conducted on 21 August. A report and a plan for addressing the landslide had been prepared based on the inspection findings.

In view of the supposed steps taken by the authorities concerned, Taka Masa, Senior Advocate and Amicus Curiae, noted that it would be better if the plan were submitted by way of an affidavit before the Court. He further stated that the state authorities, having prepared an action plan for addressing the landslide, should be directed to put it into action.

The Amicus Curiae also pointed out that since landslides on NH-29 were a frequent occurrence, the State respondents should be directed to maintain alternative routes for use as needed. He also said that apart from Package I and III, there were several landslides in Package II. Although these landslides might not be as severe as those in Package I and III, the NHICL should be directed to conduct surveys, identify and maintain such routes.

Other directions 
After hearing the various submissions, the Division Bench of Justice Sailo and Justice Habung directed the nodal officer of the project (NHIDCL) to file a detailed affidavit regarding the steps taken, not only for the landslide in the Zübza area but also for all three packages. The Court also requested details of the plan for preventing rockfalls under Package I.

Similarly, the Authority Engineer was directed to file an affidavit providing all the details of how the work had been executed. The AAG Nagaland was also asked to file the action taken report and the plan devised by the State Administration within two weeks.

“It is also made clear that the plan that has been chalked out should be put into motion without waiting for further directions from this Court in this regard. The same will apply to all the other respondents as well,” the Court stated.  The matter is fixed for further hearing after two weeks.
 

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