Doyang Bridge-VK Town highway construction halted over unpaid compensation, says Nagaland Dy CM

KOHIMA — Construction work on the highway stretch between Doyang Bridge and VK Town in Nagaland has been brought to a standstill due to a dispute over land compensation, according to Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of National Highways, TR Zeliang.

The Landowners’ Union NH-2 (VK area) has halted work on the 26-kilometre road section due to the non-payment of land compensation, he said, responding to concerns raised by MLA Nuklutoshi during the ongoing Assembly session.

Zeliang said that the project, initially awarded to a different contractor, was retendered after the previous contract was terminated on July 3, 2023. The new contract for this stretch of highway has been awarded to M/s Kaushal Sharma, a firm based in Tinsukia, Assam, with a projected completion date of June 18, 2024.

Noting the hardships faced by commuters due to the work stoppage, the deputy chief minister said that the project faces multiple challenges, including difficulties in securing contractors and resolving land compensation issues.

Providing an update on National Highway 702D, which connects Mokokchung Junction to Mariani, the deputy CM informed the Assembly that short-term maintenance work is underway on the 63-kilometre stretch from Mokokchung Junction to Longtho.

Regarding the two-lane expansion of NH-702D, he stated that project management consultancy services have been engaged to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and pre-construction activities and construction supervision of two-laning with paved shoulder from Mokokchung to Watiyim has been initiated and is currently ongoing.