DIMAPUR, Nov 29: With the Hornbill Festival 2025 set to take place from December 1 to 10 at Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima Police has released a comprehensive traffic advisory to ensure smooth vehicular movement, public convenience, and enhanced safety throughout the ten-day cultural event.

According to the advisory, entry to the festival venue will be strictly restricted, with only vehicles carrying valid car passes allowed through Gate-1. Parking zones have been categorised to streamline movement: Car Pass X, Y, and PWD holders will park near Gate-2, while Car Pass Z vehicles will park near the main arena/WW-II Museum via Gate-2. Organisers and artistes will have designated parking at the amphitheatre through Gate-1 and the Imagiland junction.

For vendors, police clarified that no vendor vehicles will be allowed through Gate-1. Instead, entry will be permitted only via Japfu Christian College and Legislators’ Park road before 9 am and after 6 pm, with exit through Imagiland.

Vehicles parked near Gate-2 and moving towards the southern districts or Manipur must exit through Imagiland, while those heading towards Kohima will exit via the Rhododendron Resort/National Highway route.

Kohima Police also notified that all vehicles without valid car passes must park at Kimipfüphe Local Ground in Kigwema, where a free shuttle service will operate to and from the festival venue throughout the event. A total of 35 free shuttle buses will operate from designated parking zones to Kisama. Additionally, 10 paid NST buses will run from PHQ Point and ISBT, at fares of ₹50 and ₹80 respectively.

Alternate Route and Parking Restrictions

Vehicles coming from Dimapur and Chümoukedima have been advised to take an alternate route via Old KMC check gate—Jotsoma—Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts—Forest Colony—BSNL Exchange—PHQ Point/Aradura—Phesama—Kisama. Additional LMV parking will be available at Phesama Ground.

Police have strictly prohibited parking along the National Highway between Phesama Old Check Gate and Kisama. Illegal parking will result in towing without prior warning, with vehicle owners required to pay ₹1,500 towing charges and a ₹500 penalty.

Heavy vehicles entering Kohima will be restricted from 7 am to 10 pm during the festival. Those coming from Manipur will be diverted through the Tadubi–Kidima–Chakhabama–BSF/Keyake–Meriema–Tsiesema (10 Mile)–Peducha route. Vehicle owners have also been instructed to display their contact numbers on their windshields while parking.

Night Carnival Restrictions

For the popular Hornbill Night Carnival (Dec 1–10), the stretch between Y-Junction Phoolbari and Razhü Point will remain closed to all vehicles from 4 pm to 9 pm daily. LMVs will be diverted through the road adjacent to Khuochiezie Local Ground.

City buses will terminate at Phoolbari (south) and Razhü Point (north). Heavy public utility vehicles heading towards High School will be diverted from TCP Gate via Tsutuo Kharu to the IG Stadium bypass road.