Neidilhoutuo Sechü | EMN
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 7
THE green signal for the four lane highway project between Dimapur and Kohima is flashing shades of yellow in between. Cold feet have gripped a section of the people who have established their business and homes along the route of the project while final word on the project waned with time. The recent approval by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) comes almost ten years after the project was first mooted. The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, N Husheli Sema informed Eastern Mirror that the proposed survey would be carried out ‘very soon’, tentatively latter part of August.
Based on available reports, approximately as many as 524 households are likely to be demolished between Chumukedima and Sechü Zubza during the execution of the four-lane highway. But this number will increase once the survey from Khatkati (Assam) traversing Kushiabil–Padumpukhuri–Zani–Kuhovi–Henivi–Kughovi–Nihoto–Showuba–Seithekema till Patkai Bridge is carried out.
Except for the new route from Kushiabil to Patkai Bridge which has been diverted in order to relief traffic woes between Chumukedima and Dimapur, it was learnt that the distance beyond Patkai Bridge will pass along the present route till it ends some few km short of Jotsoma bye-pass after crossing Dzüza Bridge.
In Medziphema, which lies enroute between Dimapur and Kohima the arrival of the road is pushing up land costs.
As per the survey undertaken so far, Medziphema is likely to be affected most with 122 households listed for demolition, followed by Jharnapani & Kukidolong area (97), Piphema (94), Sechü Zubza (91), Pherima (65), Kiruphema/Peducha (36) and Chumukedima area (22) – all approx.
Not only households, but several terrace fields, plantation areas and barren lands owned by individuals will also be cleared in the process. The demolition list also includes churches, petrol pumps, stone crushers and areas occupied by Assam Rifles and CRPF forces.
Compensation will be given to land and household owners but villagers feel that the amount will not commensurate with the value of their lands.
The inevitable demolition of homes and property evoke different reactions amongst the affluent and not so affluent families.
The situation is one that many families on the village have not faced and more often than not the choice appears to be confusing.
“Mere compensation won’t afford me (or anybody) to buy another plot of land neither will it be satisfactory to construct a similar house which I own. But I accept the inevitable if development should reach us,” said a resident who settles in Medziphema with a single plot of land.
“There are many about-to-be-landless highway residents already on the look out for lands to build shelter. For those of us who fail to acquire a plot of land again, the only option left is to live in rental houses throughout our entire life,” he said adding that the cost of land is exorbitantly high these days.
Another resident from Sechü Zuba had this to say “For many reasons even I am happy to welcome a project such as this, but now I am contemplating whether to reside in Zubza or not. May be I should go back to my native village Mezoma to settle there.”
An overriding sentiment associated with the project is the apprehension over the handling of funds for compensation. There are fears that the designated officials will misuse the amount sanctioned for compensation.
The project was originally earmarked at Rs 400 crore, and has now been approved at a total cost of Rs 1089.87 crores. Now that the highway will soon be a reality, it has brought a sigh of relief to the Rio-led DAN government. On several occasions, the opposition parties have made the inordinate delay of the project a sticky political issue.
