Ao Senden urges MoRTH to revisit its NH-702D decision and approve a two-lane Mokokchung–Mariani highway without bottlenecks
DIMAPUR — The Ao Senden has urged Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who holds the Planning & Transformation and National Highways portfolios, to impress upon the Union minister for road transport and highways and the ministry to revisit the July 23 decision on NH-702D and approve the entire Mokokchung–Mariani stretch as a two-lane highway without any bottleneck at any point.
In a representation dated September 28, the Ao Senden stated that the realignment of NH-702D has been under consideration since 2021, with various options discussed during meetings involving the state government, PWD (National Highways), stakeholders and the Ao Senden.
It stated that Option IV was recommended by stakeholders during a July 11, 2022 meeting at the deputy commissioner's office in Mokokchung. The stakeholders, it added, again unanimously recommended Option IV during a November 20, 2024 meeting after the consultant, MARC Technocrats Pvt. Ltd., submitted its modified report.
The Ao Senden said it had subsequently written to the chief engineer, PWD (NH), seeking approval of Option IV, while a separate representation was also submitted by civil society organisations of Mangkolemba.
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However, referring to the minutes of the MoRTH meeting held on July 23, 2026, the Ao Senden said the ministry had approved the existing NH-702D road.
It stated that it had subsequently written to the authorities concerned seeking that the decision be revisited.
The organisation argued that the existing road had earlier been rejected during a September 16, 2021 meeting at the office chamber of the principal secretary, Works and Housing, with the observation that “Option-I and II were not recommended since terrain wise it was not friendly/distance of the road will be more.”
The Ao Senden stated that the people of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and eastern districts want a two-lane highway and nothing short of it.
It further cited the resolution of its Senden Luden (Executive Committee) meeting on September 15, 2026, stating that the Mokokchung–Mariani NH-702D, described as the lifeline of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and eastern districts, “must be a 2-lane highway without any bottleneck in the entire stretch.”
It added that any configuration short of two lanes at any point would not be acceptable.
The Ao Senden therefore requested the deputy chief minister to impress upon the Union minister and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to revisit the July 23, 2026 decision and approve an entire two-lane NH-702D without any bottleneck at any point.
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