Issue based Politics :: Conrad Sangma's NPP wants to make a difference in Nagaland ... and thus here's some 'candid talks'

NPP Nagaland raises concern Over Dimapur–Kohima Road Conditions 

The National People’s Party (NPP), Nagaland unit, has raised serious concern over the growing risk to life and property due to recurring rockfalls, landslides, and road collapses along the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane highway (NH-29). 

The Conrad Sangma-led outfit has urged the Centre and relevant authorities to adopt permanent, science-based solutions to address the crisis.  

In a press release, the NPP pointed out that several vulnerable stretches – particularly Pagala Pahar, the KMC dumping site area, and Kisama- continued to suffer from rockfalls, subsidence, and road collapses, resulting in accidents and fatalities.

While construction and maintenance works were ongoing, NPP noted the absence of scientific slope stabilisation, robust drainage, and preventive engineering solutions which continued to pose grave risk to commuters.

Citing reports over the past few years, which indicated multiple fatal rockfall incidents and several injuries along on NH-29 Dimapur–Kohima corridor, NPP urged the government to publish authenticated, year-wise casualty data to avoid ambiguity and ensure accountability.

NPP said the highway was especially hazardous during the monsoon period, which necessitated extreme caution and strict adherence to travel advisories.  

It has submitted a detailed memorandum on July 29 to the Regional Office of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Guwahati and to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. 

The memorandum underscored the urgent need for permanent slope stabilisation measures, establishment of district-level monitoring and reporting mechanisms, promotion of community-level safety education, enhancement of roadside signage, and inclusion of local geotechnical experts in project planning and implementation.

                                          

This is a case of plain speaking from the regional party which is headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. NPP like the ruling entity NDPP in Nagaland is a key constituent of the BJP-led NEDA and the NDA in the national level.

Without any MLAs in the House in last two assembly elections - 2018 and 2023, the Congress is otherwise principal opposition party.

According to northeast watchers - it is estimated that nearly 85% of roads across Nagaland are in poor shape, making travel difficult and hazardous, especially during the monsoon season.  

In Dec 2024, citizens in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, and Wokha have expressed growing frustration over deteriorating road conditions, ranging from potholes and uneven surfaces to poor drainage and dust pollution. 

Despite patch-up repairs being hastily executed often in some areas, residents and commuters say the quality remains subpar, highlighting systemic neglect by authorities.

It maintained that the fatal rockfall at Pagala Pahar on May 30 this year once again underscored the urgent need for comprehensive, science-based, long-term safety measures. The NPP lamented that temporary fixes such as traffic diversions and limited rockfall barriers had clearly been insufficient during periods of intense rainfall.  

It also called upon the monitoring mechanism established by the state government to constantly supervise work progress and ensure timely rectifications, so that no lapse or complacency by implementing agencies jeopardised public safety.

NPP said lives and safety of commuters could not be compromised due to construction deficiencies or inadequate preventive measures and expressed solidarity with the affected families and reaffirmed its commitment to pursue the issue with all authorities concerned –both the centre and state- until sustainable, lasting solutions were implemented.  

The NPP further demanded public disclosure of a time-bound action plan and the creation of a live, publicly accessible dashboard where citizens can track the progress of mitigation works, traffic closures, diversions, and safety interventions in real time. It also called upon the Monitoring Mechanism established by the Government of Nagaland to closely supervise the progress of ongoing and future works and to ensure that implementing agencies carry out timely rectifications without delay or complacency.  

Recently a few BJP and Congress leaders joined NPP in Nagaland and the Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also visited Kohima. 

The revamped NPP will be a party to watch in the coming months and years, it is being presumed.