Gadkari reviews progress of 29 NH projects in Nagaland

Land acquisition issue major hurdle for road projects in State: Zeliang

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 22: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has stressed the need to accelerate mobility infrastructure development in Nagaland, prioritizing sustainability and cost-efficiency.

Reviewing the progress of 29 National Highway (NH) projects covering 545 km in Nagaland, the Minister said these initiatives will greatly enhance connectivity, drive local economic growth, and contribute to the region’s deeper integration into India’s overall development.

“Nagaland’s highways are transforming into lifelines of growth, driven by PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision. A future of connectivity, prosperity and progress unfolds with every new road”, Gadkari wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile in the review meeting, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang stated that one of the major challenge faced by Nagaland in smoothly carrying out road works is on the issue of land acquisition.

Due to unique land holding system and by the rights enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution for Nagaland, the challenge before the State Government is to convince the land owners to part their land at a reasonable rate for developmental activities. The State Government on its part has been fervently working towards amicable resolution and providing the necessary RoW to the implementing agencies to carry out the work without any hindrances, he said.

On issues flagged by the Ministry, Zeliang assured that prompt actions are being taken to resolve the issues. He informed that on the Peren-Dimapur-Package-V for a total length of 17 km, there is no issue for 7 kms, however the landowners of the 10km stretch demanded land compensation which resulted in the delay for issuing RoW.

On the Kohima bypass Package-III and IV, the Dy.CM informed that the matter is under litigation by an individual landowner claiming land compensation. But given that only small stretches are under contest, he expressed hope that it will be resolved soon and RoW will be issued to NHIDCL to carry out the work.

For the Kohima-Jessami Package-I, he said the issue lies with the construction of 9 culverts without any provision for protection and compensation towards the valley side. In package-II, the Dy.CM informed that the hindrance of 1.4 km in Chakhabama Military area is due to demand of damage compensation towards the valley side.

In Package-IV, the issue is on the demand for collateral damage compensation, he said.

On land acquisition for construction of National Highway-202 covering a length of 178 KM across 4 Districts viz. Phek, Kiphire, Tuensang and Shamator at a total cost of Rs 3119 cr, Zeliang said the Ministry has rightly noted that as per State Government of Nagaland notification Dated November 28, 2023, land compensation will be paid henceforth for all national highway projects, unlike in the past where only damage compensation was paid and land was provided free of cost which has invited numerous court litigation in several projects.

The delay in finalisation of land rates and process of acquisition is due to comparative studies carried out on Land Acts of neighbouring States and also NH Act-1956. However, after much deliberation it has been decided that the State Government will amend the Nagaland Land (Acquisition & Requisition) Act of 1965, specifically for National Highway Projects, he informed.

Coming to Dimapur-Kohima 4-Lane road, the Dy.CM lamented that even after a span of 8 years the project remains incomplete and public are made to face inconvenience daily. Particularly in Package-1, the Pagla Pahar Stretch, in the initial DPR, slope protection measure was not included and on top of that vertical cutting of rock and earth had become hazardous to the commuters, he informed. To add to the sufferings of the public, major portion of the road was swept away by river in one stretch this year resulting in closing the road and allowing only one-way traffic. Zeliang also pointed out that the NHIDCL has issued completion certificate for Package-II whereas it can be visibly seen on ground that the works on this package is far from being complete. The State Government has also raised objection on the matter and expressed our unhappiness that the State was kept in the dark when Completion Certificate was issued, he said, while requesting official technical team from MoRTH to verify on spot for confirmation and necessary action thereof.

The Dy.CM further requested Gadkari to consider for annual allotment of funds for maintenance of National Highway in the State which are looked after by the Nagaland PWD, NH Division. He said since the discontinuation of Ordinary Repair (OR) and Flood Damage Repair (FDR) from last year, the State PWD, NH Division has been facing acute financial issue to carry out emergency repair of highways, especially during monsoon season.

“In a State like Nagaland, landslide and mudslide takes place very often on National Highways and without funds, Engineers of the respective divisions find it very difficult to maintain smooth flow of traffic”, he said and requested the Minister to allot funds to the State PWD (NH) for emergency use. Utilisation certificate will be duly submitted to the Ministry for the same, he added.

(Page News Service)