The Papum Pare district administration announced that a mudslide caused by extensive earth‑cutting by private individuals and a gas pipeline agency had blocked National Highway 415 a few kilometres before the Donyi Polo International Airport. The slide deposited a large volume of debris onto the road, leaving many vehicles stranded for several hours.
District officials identified three major sites where the highway was damaged. All parties involved – two private landowners and the pipeline agency – have been instructed to remove the debris immediately. The administration warned that failure to comply would result in legal action.
Landowners have hired men and machinery to clear the debris. One worker noted that the effort has been ongoing for four days, but rainfall frequently brings additional material from the hill, complicating the cleanup.
The incident has intensified criticism of the Papum Pare and Itanagar Capital Region administrations for not controlling illegal earth‑cutting along the highway. A blanket ban on cutting has been announced, and officials urge new land purchasers to seek permission from local panchayat leaders before undertaking any earth‑cutting. In addition to clearing the road, authorities are working to stabilize the section near the airport’s entry point, with district officials, PWD engineers, and local leaders monitoring progress on site.
