NH-2 continues to be cut off at Phesama
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2025: The road repair work at Phesama.

Nagaland, which connects Kohima and Mao along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road), remains incomplete, and it still is not known when it will be completed.

Vehicular movement along the road has been completely halted since the Phesama stretch sank about 50 meters due to incessant rainfall on the intervening night of June 1 and 2.Currently, only six-tyred trucks carrying essentials are coming to Manipur from the Kohima side through an alternate road, as the repair work at Phesama remains incomplete.

Following the road collapse, repair work was delayed due to a dispute over land acquisition between the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and landowners.

The work commenced only after a meeting was convened in the presence of Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, along with representatives of the Phesama Village Council and landowners.

Officials concerned had announced that the repair work would be finished within 10 days if the dispute over land acquisition is settled.

However, nearly two months later, the repair work remains incomplete, significantly disrupting the movement of transporters.

The condition of the alternate road connecting Kohima and Mao through Chakhabama and Kedima is also worsening due to incessant rainfall, and only six-tyred trucks can pass through it, said a well placed source.

Reportedly, just 10 to 15 trucks reach Mao daily due to the poor road condition.

As the road lacks space for two trucks to cross from opposite directions, authorities had previously allowed empty trucks to pass during the day and loaded trucks at night.

However, the movement of empty trucks has been halted since yesterday.

The source added that drivers are also refusing to take the Maram-Peren route, which is somewhat longer, due to the absence of workshops, hotels, and other amenities along the way.

Notably, the Public Works Department had declared the Kohima-Chakhabama-Kedima-Mao road as an alternate route until the repair work at Phesama is completed.

The source stated that the Peren to Imphal route via Maram-Peren road spans 293 km and it is primarily used by a few loaded trucks and oil tankers.

Moreover, another alternate road-the Dimapur-Kohima-Chakhabama-Jessami-Ukhrul-Imphal road, spanning 373 km, remains impassable due to landslides at multiple areas.

According to reports received from Nagaland, the repair work at Phesama is not progressing due to incessant rain.

Although the land acquisition work is nearing completion, the road may collapse again due to water flowing beneath the acquired land portion, according to reports.

According to the source in Nagaland, NHIDCL stated that the repair work will progress if there is favourable weather conditions.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang had inspected the repair work on July 22 .

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