Civil bodies against changing of Peren-Dimapur road specification; ADC refutes their claim

Dimapur, Jan. 15 (EMN): Two civil society organisations have expressed resentment over alleged alteration in specification of National Highway-129A (NH-129A) two-lane road from Peren to Dimapur, stating that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had sanctioned the project, which on completion, will serve as an alternative highway to Manipur leading to Myanmar.

In a memorandum addressed to the commissioner of Nagaland state, president of Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland, CR Zeliang and president of Zeme Council Nagaland, Dr. Tumda Newme stated that tendering process for the road project (Package 1A) has been completed and work order issued.

However, they claimed that the width of the said two-lane road has been reduced from the original 18-20 metre to 12-14 metre, which they said “is unacceptable at any cost”, as “no landowner has refused to part land for construction of 2-lane road”.

“Please take note that Additional Deputy Commissioner, Peren along with some public leaders of Peren Town had taken unilateral decision to recommend for reducing the specification of the 2-lane road for their self-vested interest. Deputy Commissioner, Peren Letter No. PRN/DEV-15/2016/923 dated January 13, 2021 is self-explanatory. The same was forwarded to the Commissioner, Nagaland without consulting the stakeholders which has not only deprived the compensation rights of several landowners but also deprived the public from having their long cherished 2-lane road,” read the memorandum.

It said that NHIDCL and Peren District Administration should not have issue on paying damage compensation to deserving people as “the laid down guidelines are very clear”.

“If any landowner’s demand is beyond the entitlement, it is the responsibility of Peren District Administration to negotiate the rate of compensation as per the guidelines instead of compromising the specification of the road,” it added.

However, the additional district commissioner (ADC) of Peren told Eastern Mirror that the organisations were ‘unnecessarily trying to drag his name’ into the issue.

“Yes we have forwarded the matter but unlike what they are alleging, the decision of the width of the road as per the Right Of Way (ROW) is with NHIDCL and not with the district administration,” said the ADC.

“We have no power to decide on that. We just forwarded as per the directions we received,” he added.