Prolonged neglect of NH-29 by NHIDCL concerning, says Nagaland legislator

KOHIMA — The prolonged neglect of the National Highway-29 (NH-29) in Kohima area has irked legislator Kevipodi Sophie of the 14 Southern Angami-1 Assembly Constituency.

Sophie discussed the matter with the Managing Director (MD) of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Mahmood Ahmed, who was on a visit to Nagaland to inspect the progress of the NH-29 project amid complaints of delay and poor workmanship, triggered by rockslides in Chumoukedima that killed two persons and injured three others on July 4 this year.

The legislator had a meeting with Ahmed on October 1 in Jakhama upon the latter’s inspection of the Kohima-Mao stretch of the national highway, wherein he expressed dismay over the slow work progress, descoping of the stretch of road, accident-prone areas, especially along the narrow stretches and quality of the road.

While highlighting the importance of the national highway, which is meant to connect with the ASEAN countries as per the Act East Policy of the Indian government, Sophie also brought to light the issues faced by the people of southern Angami region due to the long delay in the implementation of the project.

He questioned why the small portion of the road from Kohima to Senapati in Manipur has been neglected while the Senapati-Imphal and Dimapur-Kohima four-lane roads have been taken up.

Issues like densely populated areas, land compensation, or property damage should not hinder road widening efforts, said the legislator, adding that people didn’t ask anything in return for the land affected the national highway though landowners are entitled to receive land compensation as per the prescribed rule of the government.

He went on to say that a four-lane road may not be feasible in Kohima area of the NH-29 due to the landscape, as it will require at least 70-80 meters of land, which can cause unwanted problems. However, he requested the construction of a two-lane road along the stretch.

The legislator said that he had requested the managing director of NHIDCL to take the matter with the authorities in New Delhi.

President of Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), Tepul Hopovi also shared concern over the NH-29 construction issue in the region.

It may be mentioned that the MD of NHIDCL left in a hurry on Sunday when Eastern Mirror sought for a briefing about the outcome of the inspection.

Ahmed had also refused to attend to queries posed by journalists during the survey of the Chümoukedima-Jharnapani stretch of NH-29 last week while assuring address the media after completing the inspection.

Also read: NHIDCL MD Mahmood Ahmed inspects NH-29 in Nagaland amid travel threat to commuters