NHIDCL writes to Chief Secretary of Nagaland; seeks clarification on illegal encroachments

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 3 (EMN): The managing director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL), K K Pathak has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, J Alam, withdrawing all further activities of 2-laning along NH 202 from Akhegwo -Akash Bridge (Jessarni) in Phek district on Sep. 1.

The letter stated, “The NHIDCL is to strengthen the road section up to 2-lane with hard shoulder for the entire 42km stretch between Akhegwo-Akash Bridge (Jessami) of NH 202 under Phek district in Nagaland. The DPR has been prepared and we have advanced the bidding process. Apparently, the fact that we are taking up this road is known to the local population and they have put in large number of structure(s) or the proposed RoW with the sole intention of getting undue compensation”.

“We have prepared a drone movie which we are mailing to you. One look of the movie will convince you that these structures, which are very recent, have come up in a very organised manner and with the sole aim of obtaining compensation”, it said.

“I would like to know what the district administration has done or what attempts were made by them to stop these illegal encroachments. The order of the DC of Phek dated July 20, 2021 has had no effect on the local people. It seems that the district administration has been unable to stop the illegal structures proving that our own officers have not informed or acted on this issue effectively”, it read.

“I therefore, request the state chief secretary to direct the concerned DC (Phek) to identify such structures, which have recently been built and get them removed, so that the NHIDCL do not have to pay compensation to mischievous persons”, it informed.

Further, it reiterated that the NHIDCL shall not take up the project unless the district administration clearly demarcates the genuine structure(s) and removes the counterfeits.