CSU seals NH-29 contractor’s camp, demands termination and re-tendering, warning of highway shutdown from September 30
KIKRUMA — The Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) on Friday sealed the base camp of M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt. Ltd. at North Kikruma, citing continued delay and poor execution of the Chakhabama-Kikruma stretch of NH-29.
The union has given the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) 72 working hours to terminate the EPC contractor and re-tender the remaining work, warning of a total shutdown of the national highway from September 30 if its demands are not met.
Addressing the media after sealing the base camp, CSU President Povozo Soho said the union had been raising concerns over the contractor’s performance for the past two years.
He alleged that the contractor had been granted extensions and several opportunities to improve its performance but had failed to meet its commitments.
CSU General Secretary Rhilo Chiero said the union appreciated the government and the NHIDCL for implementing the highway project, but maintained that prolonged delays had caused severe hardship to the public.
The contract was awarded on October 10, 2023, with the original completion date set for January 4, 2026.
According to the CSU, NHIDCL subsequently granted an Extension of Time (EoT) up to September 24, 2026. With the extended deadline having expired, the union said physical progress stood at only 44.30%.
Chiero described the road as a lifeline for thousands of people in the region, saying local communities and the economy depend heavily on the highway. He also cited accidents and economic losses allegedly linked to the poor condition of the road.
The union said it had repeatedly given the contractor opportunities to improve its performance, but alleged that assurances had not translated into adequate progress.
In a letter to the project manager of M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt. Ltd., the CSU referred to a six-point understanding reached among the union, NHIDCL and the contractor on June 22, 2026, aimed at facilitating and expediting completion of the project.
It alleged that despite the understanding, the contractor failed to deploy the required machinery, labour and manpower. The union also referred to joint inspections conducted on July 13 and August 4, claiming that these did not result in significant improvement.
The CSU stated that a substantial portion of the road remained in poor and, in places, unmotorable condition, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
In a separate ultimatum to the executive director (Projects), NHIDCL, Regional Office-Kohima, the union reiterated its demand for immediate termination of the contractor and re-tendering of the project within 72 working hours.
The project covers the stretch from existing Km 30.474 near Kidwema Road, Chakhabama, to existing Km 53.220 near Kikruma village, with a design length of 21.90 km.
The CSU warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would lead to a total blockade of NH-29 from September 30. It added that NHIDCL would be held responsible for continued inaction on the public's grievances.