NH project in Wokha to carry out as per sanctioned specifications

Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): The affected land owners, Lotha Hoho and frontal organisations have resolved to allow construction work on the National Highway (NH)-02 from 72.40 km to 83.00 km project, as per the original sanctioned detailed project report and specifications.

This resolution was adopted during the meeting held on September 12 in Wokha after prolonged deliberation, an update from the Lotha Hoho informed on Sunday.

‘The decision was necessitated because some intermediate authorities of Nagaland are proposing to forego the payment of compensation for affected landowners and structures and to follow the existing carriageway,’ it stated.

The public of Wokha concluded that ‘if widening as per NH specifications is not done this time, the widening work will never be done’.

‘During 2017-18, the NH authorities carried out detailed measurements of affected land and standing structures and basing on that the detailed project report was proposed to the GoI/MoRTH. Subsequently, the affected owners of land and standing structures all agreed to give way for the project if compensation has to be given. Accordingly, no objection certificates were issued by the affected property owners,’ it stated.

Based on the detailed survey and assessment of cost of various affected properties, the report was prepared and sanctioned by MoRTH, it added.

The Lotha Hoho was involved in the process of co-ordination and the process of land acquisition.

“Although officially not confirmed (process of confirmation underway), the component for compensation is said to be INR 63 crore. However, the intermediate NH authorities of Nagaland are trying to forgo the payment of compensation saying that amount is too high and will affect other work components,” it stated.

Stating that ‘INR 63.00 crore is only a drop in the mighty ocean for the NHAI/MoRTH and that different work components are listed separately in the sanction, the Hoho said the question of compensation payment affecting other work items does not arise.

It stated that the intention of authorities to manipulate the sanctioned project is discriminatory for the people of Wokha.

Pointing out that the road widening project from 40.00 km to 72.40 km was also delayed for more than a decade and the authorities remained ‘least bothered’ to revive the project till the intervention of the Lotha Hoho and Rengma Hoho in 2015-16.

The Hoho assured that Wokha people including the affected owners will extend full co-operation to the concerned department and the contractor for the smooth implementation of the project.

It further cautioned that the NH authority of Nagaland will be held responsible if the concerned authorities do not follow the specifications and any problem arises in implementation of the project.