Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho seek assurance on stalled T-01 to Mangmetong road project

MOKOKCHUNG — Ao Senden and Lotha Hoho have demanded written assurance from the contractor within seven days over the slow progress of T-01 to Mangmetong road project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III).

The road, stretching from Wokha and Merapani Zero junction to Mangmetong village in Mokokchung district, has recorded only 9% progress in 18 months, while the deadline is set to expire on September 30.

A joint spot verification was carried out on September 9 by Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Ongpangkong Mungdang, Ongpangkong Students’ Conference, and the village councils of Mangmetong, Longkhum, Ungma and Sungro Range, along with the site executive engineer and the contractor.

The project, valued at INR 46.54 crore, was awarded on March 21, 2024, with a total length of 36.45 km and a five-year maintenance period worth INR 3.85 crore. Despite a 5% security deposit (INR 1.16 crore), only 26 km of earth cutting has been completed, leaving about 10 km pending.

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During a meeting at Pangti village following the inspection, PIU-II SRRDA Mokokchung officer R Tekayanger Walling confirmed that the 18-month period ends this month. He said the contractor, M/s LPSS from Kohima, had been repeatedly urged to speed up work but progress remained unsatisfactory.

On August 18, the chief engineer summoned the contractor, who assured completion within an extended period while maintaining quality standards, Walling added.

Acknowledging the delays, contractor said that work began only in October 2024 due to Nagaland’s limited working season of about seven months before the monsoon. He informed that a request had been made to the chief engineer for an extension until March 31, 2026, and pledged to deliver quality work within the period.

Expressing public frustration, Lotha Hoho joint secretary Chumbemo T Ngullie said people had sacrificed much for the project and urged the firm to complete the work without further delay. “This time we are requesting with kindness, but if this trend continues, the kindness might not remain,” he cautioned.

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Onpangkong Mungdang president also recalled that during a site visit on May 8, after obtaining the Detailed Project Report (DPR), contractors had assured progress, yet the work remained stagnant. He stressed the need for written guarantees and stricter departmental supervision, warning that if progress does not improve, the next course of action would be different.

Meanwhile, Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong said the demand was a necessity, not a confrontation. “This is not to check anybody, but we need good roads. Nagaland, being a hilly state, relies on roads for connection, transport, and economy. For us to have good roads, the Ao Senden will fight tooth and nail,” he said.

Imsong cited the contractor’s commitments, including completing earth cutting by November, starting HP culvert works on September 25, and metalling by March 2026. However, he stressed that a written assurance must be given within seven days, warning that Ao Senden and Lotha Hoho will decide on further steps if there is no improvement.

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