Left out portion of NH-129A to be included; blockade suspended for 15 days

The JAC for NH-129A announced temporary suspension of the blockade for 15 days following the assurance given by the NHIDCL to respond to its demand within the same period

DIMAPUR — Amid the blockade of NH-129A at Tepuiki bridge by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) since July 31 over the 2.8 km stretch in Peren town under the Maram-Dimapur 2-lane road, Executive Director (HQ) of NHIDCL, RK Singh on Wednesday said the project has been revised and proposed a fresh revised estimate to include the said stretch of road.

Singh said this at a press conference in Peren town on Wednesday after a meeting with the district administration and civil societies of Peren town, wherein the matter concerning package I of the project was discussed.

During the meeting, the NHIDCL maintained that the reason for delay in the construction of the 2.8 km portion of the NH-129A within Peren town was due to “safety concern” and to provide a seamless connectivity.

The project can be taken up separately as the remaining INR 5-6 crore funds for package 1 can’t cover the cost for the Peren town stretch, he said, adding that “taking it up as an independent project will be good for the town because we will come up with additional safety measures”.

Maintaining there is no reason why the stretch of road should not be covered, he assured that the NHIDCL will convince the higher authority.

When asked if he can give a timeline to respond to the people’s demand, he said he will do so within 15 day after consulting the higher ups in Delhi. 

Deputy CM TR Zeliang, who is also in-charge of National Highway, said he had given free hand to the district administration and the stakeholders on the subject matter of structural damage compensation since the start of this project.

“Be it in Package-I, II, III or IV, I have not been involved in the compensation matter. However, in the Peren Town portion, I had to intervene as I was made to understand in 2021 that the NHIDCL had changed the scope of work and reduced the width of the road to 12 metres, which is against the original DPR and contract agreement,” he said.

“The stakeholders of Peren town have never claimed the rates of their own in a series of assessment carried out by the Damage Assessment Committee unlike in some of the districts in Nagaland,” he added.

Zeliang also requested the NHIDCL to respect the sentiment of the people and implement the work as well as the JAC to call off the indefinite blockade.

“Public leaders should also be mentally prepared to arrive at compromises wherever necessary. If this town portion is resolved, I assure you there will be no other problem,” he said, adding that they should find a way by considering all suggestions.

Blockade suspension temporary

The JAC for NH-129A announced temporary suspension of the blockade for 15 days following the assurance given by the NHIDCL to respond to its demand within the same period. However, it said the agitation will be intensified if the implementation agency fails to keep its words.

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