Chakhesang Students’ Union seeks termination of contractor over NH-29 delays

DIMAPUR — The Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) has urged the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) to take urgent corrective action over “grave public hardship” caused by persistent delays and poor execution of works along NH-29, Package-II (Chakhabama–Kikrüma).

In a letter to the NHIDCL executive director, the union appreciated the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) meeting held on November 14, which acknowledged the suffering of commuters and approved the proposal to terminate the ongoing contract for the stretch.

It welcomed the PMG’s decision to recommend the termination.

According to the union, this would be the second termination notice issued to Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt. Ltd., which took over the contract on January 4, 2024.

The first termination notice was served on June 13, 2024. Despite repeated directives, the CSU alleged that progress continues to be “negligible,” with work delays, inconsistencies, and prolonged absence of the contractor from the site.

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Citing RTI records, the union said that the project has achieved only 25.70% physical progress and 25.41% financial progress, adding that financial expenditure has surpassed the actual ground progress.

“At this pace, the development of the 2-lane highway appears to serve the interests of the contractor rather than the public,” it stated.

The CSU maintained that the contractor’s inefficiency has led to widespread public resentment, adding that “enough leniency” has already been extended.

It reiterated its demand for immediate termination of the “incompetent contractor,” warning that any future unrest or casualties arising from the situation would be the “sole responsibility” of NHIDCL.

Urging the agency to treat the matter with “utmost seriousness and urgency,” the union called for swift remedial measures to restore public confidence and ensure timely completion of the critical road segment.