MLA Achumbemo Kikon urges Minister G Kaito Aye to hand over Wokha–Bokajan road to Border Roads Organisation.
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KOHIMA — MLA Achumbemo Kikon called upon Minister for Roads and Bridges G Kaito Aye to comply with the demands of the Lotha Hoho and hand over the Wokha–Bokajan road to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) or other agencies, stating that the road is in a “very pathetic condition” after it was taken over by the Roads and Bridges department.
Kikon raised the matter through a starred question to Aye on the upgrade of the Wokha–Bokajan road and Aghunato–Shamator road during the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the minister stating that the matter of road upgrade is being actively pursued. The MLA emphasised that the Wokha-Bokajan road is very important not only for the inhabitants of Wokha district but also will help the commuters from Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang, Mokokchung and Zunheboto as they all pass through Wokha in one way or the other to reach Kohima or Dimapur.
Kikon said that the road was maintained by BRO for about 12 years, but later it was handed over to the Road and Bridges department. He recalled that the Lotha Hoho has submitted a representation to the governor in 2019, 2022 and 2023 requesting him to hand over the road stretch to BRO because after being taken over by the Road and Bridges “the maintenance is in a very pathetic condition.”
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He also mentioned that Takchung River Bridge has also collapsed long before, but there is no attention so far.
“Probably the government of the day is trying hard, but as of now, there is no news of a new bridge being sanctioned, and also the maintenance is absolutely very, very poor,” he expressed.
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He questioned whether, if the state government is unable to maintain the road, there is a way to hand over the Wokha-Bokajan road to the BRO.
Kaito clarifies on Wokha–Bokajan road upkeep
Minister Kaito Aye stated that the Wokha–Bokajan road was constructed around 1992–93 under a one-time grant from the NEC and was initially entrusted to the BRO. However, during 2004–05, about 70 km of the 105 km stretch was handed over to the state’s PWD (Roads & Bridges).
Kaito said the department has been maintaining the 70 km portion, but due to limited resources adequate maintenance could not be carried out, causing inconvenience to commuters. The remaining 35 km is still under BRO.
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He clarified that the collapsed Takchung bridge falls within the 35 km stretch maintained by BRO. He said BRO has proposed constructing a 60-metre span bridge at the site, and therefore the department cannot take over that portion until the bridge is completed. He added that the department lacks the resources to construct such a large bridge, estimated at around 200 feet.
The minister also informed that the government has not asked BRO to hand over the remaining stretch, as the bridge construction—already included in BRO’s sanctioned amount—should be completed first. He assured that the department will obtain the latest status from BRO and place the matter before the State Planning Board to determine how best to address the road condition.
He confirmed receiving a representation from the Lotha Hoho and said the issue will be taken up with the State Planning Board since the department alone cannot make the decision.
On the Aghunato–Shamator road, Kaito said the project now falls under the NITI Aayog system, which has introduced new guidelines the department is still adapting to. He expressed confidence that the 28 km stretch currently under construction will be completed by 2026, after which efforts will be made to take up the remaining portion under an appropriate scheme and present it to the State Planning Board and the chief minister.