A severe mudslide destroyed a 40-meter section of the highway shoulder along the Kohima-Dimapur bypass corridor in Nagaland. The collapse was triggered by persistent subterranean seepage and heavy wet clay.
Highway authorities restricted heavy traffic to prevent potential structural failure after the outer lane was buried. Numerous commercial and passenger vehicles are stranded. Earthmovers and rock-drilling equipment have been deployed under police escort to stabilize the hillside.
The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court expressed dissatisfaction regarding the progress of work on the Lerie-Jotsoma stretch on September 17, 2026. The work stands at approximately 54 percent completion despite substantial financial disbursements. The court ordered the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to submit a compliance affidavit by October 7, 2026.
Local stakeholders and transport associations criticized the project execution and warned that hillside excavations contribute to slope collapses. The Naga Students' Federation urged the ministry to initiate an inquiry and consider replacing the implementing agency due to recurring incidents. Further details are available in the official
Nagaland IPR traffic diversion report.
