Nagaland: Police announce traffic, parking, and security plan for Hornbill Festival 2025

Guwahati: Kohima police have released detailed traffic, parking, shuttle, and security guidelines for the 26th Hornbill Festival, scheduled from December 1-10 at the Naga Heritage Village in Nagaland's Kisama.

During a media briefing at the PHQ Mini Conference Hall on Saturday, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Renchamo P. Kikon highlighted that traffic management has improved over the years.

He noted that last year’s 25th edition saw “seamless regulation” with minimal complaints.

ADGP Kikon said necessary security arrangements have been made, including a three-tier security system.

He added that armed personnel will not be allowed inside the main arena, following the practice of previous editions.

Exceptions will be made only for VVIPs with Z-plus protection, whose security personnel may carry only small, concealed weapons.

“There will be no visible arms inside the festival arena except for Tourist Police and District Police on duty,” Kikon said, noting that the Chief Minister has reiterated this directive to all security forces in the state.

Additional SP (Traffic) Puzoto Khatso presented the traffic management plan. Vehicles entering Kisama will be parked in designated zones based on car pass categories:

• Z (VVIPs): Main Arena/WW-II Museum
• X (Heads of Departments): Parking near Gate-2
• Y (Others): Parking near Gate-2
• Organisers/Artists: Amphitheatre
• Vendors/Service Providers: Entry via Japfu Christian College (JCC), exit via Imagiland to NH
• PWDs: Parking near Gate-2

Key traffic and parking rules include:

• Entry to the venue is allowed only for valid car pass holders via Gate-1, with parking near Gate-2.
• Vendors must enter via JCC before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. and exit via Imagiland.
• Z-category vehicles can enter the main arena only through Gate-2.
• Vehicles with X, Y, and PWD passes will park at Kisama Parking Area near Gate-2.
• Vehicles parked near Gate-2 will exit via Imagiland (southern/Manipur-bound) or Rhododendron Resort/NH (Kohima-bound).
• Additional parking for LMVs is available at Phesama ground.
• An alternate route from Dimapur/Chümoukedima to Kisama is via Old KMC check gate–Jotsoma–Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts–Forest Colony–BSNL Exchange–PHQ Point–Phesama–Kisama.
• Vehicle owners should display contact numbers on windshields.
• Vehicles parked on the NH between Phesama old check gate and Kisama will be towed under Section 127 of the MV Act; owners bear damage costs, towing charges Rs 1,500, plus a Rs 500 penalty under Section 201.
• Drone operators must obtain prior permission from PHQ; violations will be prosecuted.

Shuttle services include:

• 35 free buses between parking zones and the venue.
• 10 NST paid buses (five each from PHQ Point and ISBT) with fares of Rs 50 and Rs 80, respectively.

Army escort vehicles must park at Kigwema ground, and no armed personnel will be allowed inside the main arena.

Heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering Kohima between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. from December 1-10, with specific diversion routes in place.

At Kigwema ground, vehicles without passes can park on a payment basis, with free shuttle services transporting visitors to and from the festival venue.

During the Night Carnival, the road stretch from Y-Junction Phoolbari to Razhü Point will be closed daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Light motor vehicles and public utility vehicles will follow designated alternate routes, while city buses will terminate at assigned points to ensure smooth traffic management.

Kohima police have urged the public to follow all traffic and security guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth festival experience.