TR Zeliang recounts ‘road blocks’ to road infrastructure in Nagaland

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 15: Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Planning & Transformation, National Highways, TR Zeliang today outlined the progress and challenges in Nagaland’s National Highway development.

Zeliang undertook a tour of 6 districts along with the Chief Engineer of National Highways and other officials and travelled approximately 750 kilometers aiming to assess the condition of existing roads, inspect ongoing National Highway projects and address land acquisition challenges impeding progress.

Interacting with media persons at his residence today, the Deputy Chief Minister said his team engaged with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), tribal councils, village leaders and community representatives to address concerns related to land acquisition and compensation.

Explaining the reasons behind the tour programme, Zeliang said the meeting was planned last month with the Deputy Commissioners, whose district touched the National Highways. He said when the contractors failed to comply with the contract agreement, it is the mistake of the contractor.

He said in this regard, the Department of National Highway, PWD or NHIDCL straight away issue notice and terminate the contract and blacklist them as there is no way to deal with the contractor.

“If they cannot comply… they are terminated. But when there is a land problem, land acquisition problem, the implementing agency like NHIDCL or National Highway PWD could not handle”, he said.

He said land acquisition remains one of the most significant hurdles in Nagaland’s road development. Under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution, all land and its resources belong to the people and the Government has no control over it.

He said under such situations, the projects are stalled and the Department cannot move forward and it cannot help them. The NHIDCL or NHPWD has no option but only to foreclose, he said adding, “Foreclose means no action can be taken on the contractor. It is because of failure on the part of the landowner.”

Stating that people may misunderstand, Zeliang said DCs and ADCs can play a vital role in this land issue or compensation issue because it is the DC who would does the assessment of the damage compensation or land compensation. “Now the State Government decided, the Cabinet decided that in Nagaland also land owner can claim land compensation”, he said, adding the decision was taken and notification was issued on November 28, 2023.

Zeliang further said that their visit was also to sensitize all stakeholders and to convince them to cooperate with the State Government in respect of land acquisition for construction of national highway. He said they also wanted to inspect the road repair works under SDMG and IRQB. He said there are some portions of road in this National Highway 702A that defect liability periods earlier.

“So, wherever defects earlier, the contractor, the main contractor who has executed that portion of the road has to repair all through for 5 years. So, that defect liability portion then the SDMC portion and then the IRQP. (IRQP means improvement, riding, quality programming. SDMC means short-term maintenance contract)”, he said

Stating that these roads are funded by MoRTH, the Deputy Chief Minister said they have seen all the portions of the road and were not satisfied with the progress of the work under the SDMG scheme.

He said they have instructed the Chief Engineer and Engineer to issue short notice that in 10 days’ time, the contractors should resume the work with quality. “If they fail to do so, we have directed them to terminate the contract and blacklist the contractor”, he added.

The Deputy CM raised concerns about unethical practices by some landowners who construct illegal structures along proposed highway routes to claim compensation.

“It is disheartening to see some villages in Phek district have started erecting building, which is not for human being. If it continues, he said warned these actions could jeopardize project approvals by inflating costs.

He also said if the cost of damage compensation is more than the project cost the sanction may not be accorded.

He further informed that Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to issue notices for removal of such structures, with a 30-day grace period for voluntary dismantling. Failing this, the administration will take necessary action, including demolition.

“It is crucial to prevent such practices to ensure the projects remain financially viable and progress without hindrance”, Zeliang said.

He also highlighted several ongoing road projects such as NH 702, 702A and NH 202.

About NH-702A, he said the 221 kilometers will connect key districts including Phek, Shamator and Mokokchung. The alignment is currently being finalized, with survey teams actively working on the ground, he said.

He said NH 202 stretches 326.50 kilometers from Chuchuyimlang in Mokokchung district to Akash Bridge under Meluri. While 43.5 kilometers are under active execution by NHIDCL, the remaining sections await land acquisition resolution, he said.

Zeliang also highlighted other ambitious projects, such as the Eastern Highway and the Foothill Road, which aim to connect Nagaland’s border areas with neighboring States and improve internal connectivity.

40 projects under NEC stalled

The Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that yesterday DoNER Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia was not happy and flagged his concerns over delay in several projects in Nagaland.

He said that there are 40 projects under the North East Council, which has been stopped, adding they cannot move forward as they could not issue completion report.

Attributing the failure to complete the project due to land problem, the Deputy Chief Minister said they have pointed out clearly that projects sanctioned in last 10 to 12 years have not been completed, which is very unfortunate for the State. He said, “When we cannot implement the project, what has been sanctioned, now to ask for a new sanction become a problem”, he said adding wherever land problem is there, we decided to close all project and it cannot progress.”

He said the team visited all these villages in the district headquarters and now there is proposal for NH202 starting from Chuchuyimlang in Mokokchung to Kiphire with a project cost of Rs 3119 crores. “So we don’t want to see that such huge project should be a failure like other roads that we are now facing problem with”, he commented.

Stating that he attended the review meeting convened by the DoNER Minister yesterday, Zeliang said the Union Minister along with DoNER Secretary has flagged certain projects which are not making any progress due to land issues.

“Therefore, the State Government is also recommending that for those projects which are being stalled due to land issues would be foreclosed as there is no provision to pay for land compensation other than national highway projects”, he said and disclosed that all national highway which were sanctioned after November 28, 2023 will be getting land compensation and damage compensation.

He, however, appealed to the people, land owners in particular, that they should accept whatever rate is finalized by the State Government approved by the State Land Acquisition Authority (SLAA) and they should not demand their own rate.

“Now we are entitled for land compensation so individual or community should not claim land compensation at their own rate. But they should agree to whatever is approved by the SLAA, he said adding the Government is contemplating to amend the Nagaland Land Acquisition Act which may take months together or it may take several years.

He said contractors have been directed to ensure timely and quality completion of projects. Under the Defect Liability Period (DLP), contractors are required to maintain roads for 5 years post-construction, he said and stressed on the importance of accountability and urged contractors to honor their commitments.

The Deputy CM also highlighted the sustainability of national highways, which receive ongoing maintenance funding from the Central Government, unlike State roads that lack such provisions. “For Nagaland, sustainable road infrastructure lies in the success of national highway projects”, he emphasized.

Zeliang underscored the transformative potential of these infrastructure projects for Nagaland’s economy and society. Improved road connectivity will reduce transportation costs, stimulate local economies and integrate remote areas into the State’s mainstream development.

For instance, transportation costs between Dimapur and Kiphire, currently ranging from Rs 70,000 to Rs 90,000, are expected to drop significantly once the highways are operational. Travel times will also be halved, enhancing mobility and trade opportunities, he added

“As we look toward Vision 2030 and align with India’s Vision 2047, our focus is on building a connected and resilient Nagaland”, Zeliang said.

Zeliang thanked Deputy Commissioners, tribal leaders and the public for their enthusiastic participation during the tour and expressed optimism about the future of Nagaland’s infrastructure development.

Replying to a question about any new proposals for National Highway put to DoNER Minister, Zeliang said that they have not discussed about National Highway but only the pending projects under NEC. He said there are 40 projects pending under NEC, adding the Union Minister said either the State should foreclose or ask for new sanction after returning the money. He said sanction can be de-sanctioned after foreclosing and money can be returned and then only one can put forth new proposal.

To a query on land compensation rates, he said the Government announced the rate for land compensation now. He said the real assessment will be carried out by the Deputy Commissioner and the Assessment committees, adding the rates are different for different buildings. “As per the existing structure, the assessment committee will decide and put up to the Government, that is why we have requested the public to accept whatever is assessed by the Government”, he said.

About the road from Dillai Gate to GS Road, he said it is about 6 km road. He said he has directed the Chief Engineer to inspect the road and if the work is not in progress, or satisfactory, notice will be issued to terminate the contract.

(Page News Service)