Local residents of Chumukedima, along with various organisations, came out in large numbers to assist the passengers and the drivers of vehicles stranded at Chumukedima check gate in various ways following a massive landslide near Chumukedima check post on National Highway 29 (Dimapur-Kohima road) in Nagaland on October 30.
The highway remained closed to traffic since the night of October 30 because of the landslide which occurred between Chumukedima check post and Old Kuki Dolong. Several vehicles carrying many passengers between Kohima and Dimapur have been left stranded at the check post.
The members of the New Chumukedima Village Youth Organisation cleared the jungle area and made a temporary passage for any emergency. Bamboo poles were laid across and ropes strung along the steep cliffs to help the stranded people cross the landslide area, sources said.
The New Chumukedima Village Youth Organisation is also assisting the police in managing and cordoning off the work site till date, the official informed.
The New Chumukedima Village Council and the Chumukedima Hindu Society have also been providing free meals and drinking water to drivers and the stranded people.
Skill Alli (a firm), Tribal Union Chumukedima Town and other individuals are providing drinking water to the stranded passengers and drivers. The Skill Alli firm has also offered its office space for use by stranded passengers, especially women and children. Five highway hotels at New Chumukedima were providing free dinner to all stranded drivers and others at work site.
A Dimapur police ambulance has also been pressed into service for meeting any medical emergency.
Sources said complete clearance of the road will take time as more rocks fell from above the road. Though a small passage has been cleared, it was not safe for vehicles and pedestrians to use it, they said.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited informed the Nagaland chief secretary that the road clearance work at the affected site was in progress. It said the restoration work which started on October 31 required low-intensity blasts, excavators and dumpers to clear the site as the landslide consists of huge boulders. The road is likely to be opened this week, it added.