Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, August 22 2010:
Fresh landslide has accurred occurred between Mao Gate and Kohima on Saturday evening, compounding the highway crisis further.
The landslide occurred near Kigwema but the authorities are clearing it on a war-footing.
Meanwhile, prices of essential commodities in the Nagaland capital Kohima are sky-rocketing due to the scarcity of the goods.
Though the detailed reports in this regard have not been obtained, it is said that there have been scarcity of food items and fuel in the Nagaland capital.
The disruption of traffic had started since August 13 evening.
The main factor for the scarcity of goods in Kohima is due to the sinking of the National Hoghway-39 near KMC dumping ground which is few kilometres from Kohima towards Dimapur.
The number of goods trucks stranded on the NH-39 between Kohima and Dimapur bound for either Manipur or Kohima are increasing everyday.
Some reports said that the number of loaded trucks stranded along the NH-39 has crossed 1000 today.
Some vehicles are taking the By-Pass route but drivers of the loaded vehicles/heavy vehicles do not want to risk themselves on this alternative route since the condition is bad.
Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials said that they may take atleast 10 days to mend the road as the distance of the re-alignment of the NH-39 in the 'sinking zone' is some 350 metres.
However, if the rain continues the time to fully repair the damaged stretched of the National Highway will take longer than stipulated.
Vehicular movement along this route has been severely disrupted during the last few days following the landslide of the highway covering a distance of approximately 315 metres from near the Kohima Municipal Dustbin.
The Border Roads Organisation has been pressed into service to repair the road and make it fit for movement for vehicles along the said highway.
The Nagaland State PWD on the other hand, had struck a practical stand, stating that it would take some time to make the stretch traffic worthy.