NH-2 Phesama sinking zone reopens for one-way traffic in set hours

A section of National Highway 2 at the Phesama sinking zone, on the Kohima-Mao road that links Nagaland's capital with Manipur, has been partly restored and reopened for one-way traffic, the Kohima district administration said on Tuesday.

District Magistrate B. Henok Buchem issued the order on November 10. It covers the stretch between Km 191+840 and Km 192+100 and takes effect immediately.

Who can use the stretch, and when

Under the new order, only southbound ("up") traffic is allowed through the restored section, and only during two windows each day:

• 7 am to 10 am
• 3 pm to 5 pm

During these hours, light motor vehicles, school buses and ambulances may pass. Students in school uniform and ambulances are exempt from the one-way rule and can travel in both directions within the same windows.

Outside those hours the stretch stays fully closed to all vehicles so that the remaining restoration work can be finished.

Heavy vehicles still barred

Heavy commercial and other heavy transport vehicles headed for Manipur and the Jakhama sub-division continue to be restricted. Vehicles going towards Kohima must keep using the diversion via Phesama-Kisama/Kigwema through Rhododendron Resort. All existing alternative routes and diversions remain in place.

The new order replaces an earlier one issued on August 11, 2026.

Work to continue from 6 am daily

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), along with its contractors and authority engineers, has been told to keep machinery and enough workers at the site from 6 am every day. The aim is to speed up the remaining work and to handle any weather-related setbacks or emergency clearance.

Background

The Phesama stretch has been a trouble spot for months. In August, the administration restricted heavy vehicles after the road kept sinking and debris fell from the hill slopes above, the state's Department of Information and Public Relations said at the time. Manipur-bound trucks were stopped at Peducha under the Sechu Zubza sub-division and released in batches, and were advised to take the alternative route through Peren district. Light vehicles were diverted to the Kisama-Kigwema road.

NH-2 is one of the main supply routes into Manipur, so the partial reopening brings some relief to commuters, school children and patients travelling south of Kohima. Full two-way traffic, and the return of heavy vehicles, will depend on how quickly NHIDCL completes the work.