Kohima: Twenty days after the National Highway-29 was cut-off completely for vehicular traffic at Phesama near Kohima due to a massive landslide in the area, the Border Road Organization (BRO) personnel have cleared the debris to some extent and the authorities opened the road for vehicles to ply on a trial basis.
According to sources, in the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) under Project Sewak of BRO, the landslide has adversely affected the NH-29 along Dimapur-Kohima-Mao Sector.
Road communication with the Nagaland and Manipur was completely cut off following a complete closure of vehicular movement on this road which was announced on August 20. Slight improvement can be seen after rain stopped Thursday afternoon.
BRTF officer in charge 89 RCC, AEE P K Singh who has been overseeing the works at the landslide area, confirmed that about a hundred vehicles, including 64 Manipur-bound oil tankers carrying a maximum weight of 20 tonnes, were allowed to pass on Thursday with cautionary measures in place.
The official informed that though the road being opened passage for heavy vehicles is yet to be announced officially but light vehicles will be allowed to ply with caution.
He expressed concern over the breakaway of the highway about 100 m before the landslide area at Phesama Bus Stand which has narrowed the road by about 3m.
The authorities are optimistic that if this weather condition holds, regular traffic flow can resume soon.
It is estimated that about 1,200 public service vehicles including trucks, buses, schools and college buses ply daily on this highway on normal days along with a threefold number of light vehicles.
The landslide has affected life in Southern Angami areas and the neighbouring Manipur, but the worst brunt was borne by the Phesama villagers.
At least 250 people are reportedly displaced while around 50 houses were completely damaged, besides damage to the land topography and farmland of the villagers.
Paddy fields were also covered by mud. A big portion of the Phesama village was compelled to evacuate the families and dismantle their houses. (UNI)
