Nagaland: Centre sanctions NH-202 maintenance across four eastern districts

DIMAPUR — The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has sanctioned a one-year Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) for National Highway-202, covering a 244-km stretch across Tuensang, Shamator, Kiphire and Meluri districts, Deputy Chief Minister and minister in-charge of National Highways TR Zeliang announced on Thursday.

Describing the approval as a timely boost for the people of eastern Nagaland, Zeliang said the maintenance works would be executed in multiple packages along the Chare-Meluri stretch. He informed that the open tendering process has already been completed and work orders will be issued at the earliest, enabling contractors to begin work without delay.

With the region having suffered extensive damage from incessant monsoon rains in recent weeks, Zeliang urged all contractors to mobilise immediately upon receiving their work orders and commence maintenance works without delay. He stressed that the works must strictly adhere to the specifications and quality standards laid down in the contract agreements.

The deputy chief minister also appealed to the public, whom he described as the principal stakeholders, to extend full cooperation to the executing agencies while remaining vigilant to ensure the works are carried out with transparency, accountability and quality.

Besides NH-202, Zeliang announced maintenance works on other national highways, including stretches of NH-329A, NH-2 and NH-702A, saying the additional projects reflected the government's continued efforts to improve road infrastructure and connectivity across the state.

Responding to concerns raised over the delay in upgrading the Chare-Tuensang section of NH-202 to a two-lane highway, Zeliang said the state government remained fully committed to the project and had been pursuing its sanction with MoRTH.

He explained that the delay primarily stems from unresolved issues relating to land acquisition for the required Right of Way. While the state government has sought acquisition under the relevant state law, the ministry has maintained that the process should be carried out under the National Highways Act, 1956. According to him, the issue has affected not only NH-202 but several other National Highway projects in Nagaland.