Frustration Mounts: Nagaland’s Crucial 4-Lane Road Project Still Incomplete After 8 Years – Deputy CM Speaks Out
Kohima, October 22 (MExN): The protracted delay in the completion of the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane road project on National Highway 29 has been causing persistent inconvenience for the public, according to Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang. The project, which started eight years ago, has struggled particularly with Package-1, which encompasses the hazardous Pagla Pahar stretch. Speaking at the National Highways Project Review Meeting in New Delhi on October 21, Zeliang criticized the initial Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its omission of essential slope protection measures that have increased risks for travelers.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Zeliang recounted tragic incidents, including one on July 4, 2023, where two lives were lost due to a falling rock hitting a vehicle, and another on July 5, 2024, which resulted in serious injuries. Complicating matters further, a significant portion of the road was recently destroyed by river erosion, restricting traffic to a single direction and causing more disruption.
Zeliang also expressed serious concerns over the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) issuing a completion certificate for Package-II, despite clear evidence that the work remains unfinished. He voiced dissatisfaction over the State Government not being informed about this certificate’s issuance and has requested an on-site verification by a technical team from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Although Zeliang refrained from discussing Package-III, known to be one of the more challenging stretches of the NH-29 four-lane project, his statements emphasized the urgent need for resolution. The Project Review Meeting was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Ministers of State Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, who assessed the progress of various national highway projects in Nagaland. This meeting underscores the critical need for concerted efforts to address the issues plaguing this pivotal infrastructure project.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-4-lane-road-project-incomplete-even-after-8-years-deputy-cm
Category : Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2024-10-23 03:30:00
