Ahead of the 26th Hornbill Festival beginning on 1 December, Kohima Police has released a detailed traffic, parking and security plan to manage movement and ensure public safety over the ten-day event.
At a media briefing at PHQ Mini Conference Hall on Saturday, Additional Director General of Police Renchamo P Kikon said traffic regulation during last year’s edition had been “seamless” with minimal complaints, and expressed confidence that similar efficiency would be maintained this year.
Kikon said all security preparations have been completed, noting that the three-tier security system used in previous editions will be reintroduced. He said the police anticipate a peaceful festival and do not expect significant security issues.
He reiterated that no armed personnel will be permitted inside the main festival arena, a protocol followed in earlier years. The only exceptions will be VVIPs accompanied by Z-plus protective teams, who will carry only small, concealed firearms. He said only Tourist Police and District Police on duty will be visibly armed inside the venue. According to him, the chief minister has also emphasised this directive to all security forces in the state.
Additional SP (Traffic) Puzoto Khatso presented the traffic and parking arrangements for Kisama, including the allocation of car passes and designated parking zones.
- Z (VVIPs): Main Arena/WW-II Museum
- X (Heads of Departments): Parking near Gate-2
- Y (General attendees): Parking near Gate-2
- Organiser: Amphitheatre
- Artist: Amphitheatre
- Vendors/Service Providers: Entry via Japfu Christian College; exit via Imagiland
- PWDs: Parking near Gate-2
Only valid car pass holders may enter through Gate-1, with parking near Gate-2. Vendor car passes will not be allowed entry through Gate-1 and must enter through Japfu Christian College via Legislators’ Park road and exit through Imagiland, with entry permitted before 9 am and after 6 pm. Z-category vehicles may enter the main arena through Gate-2 and park near the Arena/WW-II Museum. Organiser and Artist vehicles may enter via Gate-1 through Imagiland and park at the Amphitheatre. X, Y and PWD pass holders will park near Gate-2.
Exit routes have been designated as Imagiland for southern and Manipur-bound vehicles, and Rhododendron Resort/NH for Kohima-bound vehicles. LMV parking will also be available at Phesama ground. Vehicles from Dimapur and Chümoukedima may use an alternative route via Old KMC check gate – Jotsoma – Nagaland College of Music & Fine Arts – Forest Colony – BSNL Exchange – PHQ Point – Phesama – Kisama.
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Drivers must paste contact numbers on vehicle windshields. Vehicles parked on the NH within the Right of Way between Phesama check gate and Kisama will be towed without warning under Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, with owners required to bear damages and pay Rs 1500 towing fee and a Rs 500 penalty.
Drone operations will require prior permission from Police Headquarters, with violators to face legal action. A total of 35 free shuttle buses will operate from parking sites to Kisama, while ten NST buses will operate on paid service, five from PHQ Point (Rs 50) and five from ISBT (Rs 80). Army escort trucks and vehicles will not be allowed entry from Gate-1 and must park at Kigwema ground. Armed personnel will not be permitted inside the main arena. Heavy vehicles will be barred from entering Kohima from 7 am to 10 pm from 1 to 10 December and heavy vehicles from Manipur will be diverted via Kidima – Chakhabama – BSF/Keyake – NBCC/High Court Meriema – 10 Mile – Peducha.
Vehicles without car passes will have to park at Kigwema public ground on a paid basis. Free shuttle services will run between Kigwema and Kisama. Shuttles will enter through Gate-1, drop passengers near Gate-2 and exit via Imagiland.
The stretch from Y-Junction Phoolbari to Razhü Point will be closed to traffic from 4 pm to 9 pm between 1 and 10 December. LMVs will be diverted through the new route adjacent to Khuochiezie (Local Ground). Heavy public utility vehicles heading towards High School area will be diverted from TCP Gate. There will be no entry from New Market road to New NST. Southern-bound city buses will terminate at Phoolbari and northern-bound buses at Razhü Point.
Kohima Police has urged the public to adhere to the guidelines to ensure efficient traffic flow and a safe festival experience.
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