The District Disaster Management Authority, Longleng along with the line departments and CSOs held a joined meeting with the Executive Director (ED) and Officials from NHIDCL, executing companies on 4th August 2026, at DPDB hall, Longleng.
Chairing the meeting the Deputy Commissioner & Chairman DDMA Longleng, W. Manpai Phom NCS, welcomed the officials from NHIDCL, DDMA members and CSO present in the meeting. He said, the district is facing a “massive disaster” after natural calamities cut off road connectivity, affecting villages, farmlands, forests and houses across the district.
Addressing concerned the leaders of the CSOs and NGOs, the DC noted that this is not the usual annual monsoon disruption of highways due to landslides and sinking. “Based on ground assessments, the damage goes far beyond roadways. It is a massive disaster affecting forests, farmlands, fields and houses,” he added.
He stated that the actual assessment of every village is yet to be completed due to lack of road communication. Several villages remain cut off, particularly in the EAC circle of Yongyah where 3-4 villages are completely inaccessible, and in areas under Namsang due to damage along the Marangkong-Tamlu stretch.
The DC lauded the collective efforts of the District Disaster Management Authority, the Phom People’s Council led by its president, the Phom Students’ Conference, student bodies, various departments and NGOs for their contribution in responding to the crisis. Calling the situation beyond the scope of regular maintenance, the administration has recommended to the state government that Longleng district be declared and notified as L3 Disaster Affected Area.
DC also presented the detailed ground assessment report collected from the damaged areas through a PowerPoint presentation.
On behalf of Phom community, the President Phom People Council's, Y. B. Angam Phom, give an urgent representation regarding sub-standard Construction, Unengineered Executing, Ecological Devastation and Severe Public Hardship along the Longleng-Changtongya and Merangkong-Tamlu National Highway Stretches (NH-702).
Imperative demands: (1). Immediate Site inspection (2). Immediate Relief and Compensation for Alayung Village (Package 1) (3). Structural Protection of the Dikhu Bridge Abutment wall (4). Emergency Reconstruction from Yongmon to Longleng (5). Realignment and Construction of the Longleng Town Bypass under Proposed SARDP Phase A project (6). Quality Control and Accountability (7). Emergency Drainage and Retaining Works (8). Environmental Remediation and (9). Round the Clock Machinery and Maintenance.
The Executive Director NHIDCL, R.P. Singh, said the agency is making all possible efforts to restore and maintain road connectivity in Longleng district to ensure safe travel for residents and for traffic to other states including Assam and neighbouring states.
He said amid the ongoing disruption caused by massive damages from natural calamities, the NHIDCL official noted that permanent restoration work cannot be taken up in August due to the scale of the damage and prevailing weather conditions.
As per the assessment, things should soon start getting back to normal with temporary measures. But from September company will begin with permanent work procedures and upgrade the road to a better condition,” he said. He also informed that NHIDCL teams are currently prioritizing clearing of slides, Bailey bridge installations where required, and keeping at least one lane open for emergency and essential movement.
In conclusion the DC, stressing the need for urgent and quality restoration, officials have called for strict monitoring of highway maintenance work in Longleng district, stating that road connectivity is the lifeline not only for Longleng but also for adjoining districts.
It was noted that restoration and maintenance works must be taken up with utmost seriousness to serve the purpose of the general public. Concerns were raised over contractual work being repeatedly handed over from one firm to another, which has affected accountability on the ground.
While some stretches have been temporarily covered, major damages remain in several areas. He stated that the Package-2 firm must carry out regular maintenance with proper scrutiny and adequate provisions to ensure that work quality is not compromised.
He also said taking the platform as an opportunity, a demand was made for a thorough inspection of both Package-1 and Package-2 stretches. Under Package-1, almost the entire stretch has been affected and will require additional funding and dedicated restoration work for final repair.
The DC assured that any further assistance required from the district administration and civil society will be extended to expedite early restoration.
(IA Longleng)
