Itanagar: The crucial Holongi-Itanagar route has been brought to a grinding halt after a massive landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall and rampant earth-cutting, completely blocked the road. Hundreds of commuters, including tourists and locals, have been left stranded in thick mud and debris since late last night. The incident has sparked a wave of public anger, with many criticising the Papum Pare district administration for its delayed response and lack of preparedness.
The landslide occurred early Friday morning near Holongi, along National Highway 415. This 14-km stretch is a vital artery, connecting Itanagar to the newly inaugurated Donyi Polo Airport and neighbouring Assam. Eyewitnesses allege that illegal and unscientific earth-cutting during the dry season has made the terrain dangerously unstable. Despite the predictable monsoon menace, no officials from the district administration, highway department, or disaster management were seen on site for hours to help those in distress.
Frustration boiled over as stranded commuters shared their harrowing experiences. Tula Mahanta, a tourist from Assam, recounted his ordeal to India Today, explaining how his new Scorpio SUV got stuck while he was trying to assist another vehicle. “There were no warning signs, no patrolling, and not a single person from the administration around. This is a complete failure,” he said, demanding a strict ban on unregulated earth-cutting. His sentiments were echoed by many others who pointed out that landslides on this route are a recurring issue.
In a delayed response, Papum Pare District Commissioner, IAS Vishakha Yadav, has since issued a statement assuring the public that machinery would be deployed to clear the route. However, the highway department has maintained a deafening silence regarding a timeline for the clearance operations, leaving commuters in limbo. While officials have cited delays in an ongoing slope stabilisation project due to difficult terrain, the lack of immediate relief has only intensified public outrage.
The State Disaster Management Department has now issued a statewide alert as heavy rainfall continues to batter the region, causing floods and landslides in multiple districts. While local MLA Nabam Vivek has previously urged residents to stop unregulated earth-cutting, the incident has highlighted a bigger systemic failure. The absence of preventive measures, early warning systems, and proper safety protocols has turned this key highway into a seasonal death trap, leaving hundreds of people stranded and questioning the authorities’ commitment to public safety.
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