Nagaland: High Court pulls up NHIDCL, contractors over highway delays

DIMAPUR — The Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has pulled up the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and contractors engaged in major road projects in Nagaland, expressing dissatisfaction over delays, lack of progress and poor instructions provided to counsels.

A division bench of Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Pranjal Das, while hearing two suo motu public interest litigations concerning the Kohima–Mao Gate stretch of NH-2 and the NH-29 Dimapur–Kohima four-lane project, observed that both NHIDCL and the contractors had failed to follow through on earlier commitments and appeared indifferent to the proceedings.

NH-2 stretch

In the matter relating to the 26.7-km Kohima–Mao Gate stretch, the court noted that despite an undertaking by contractor Vechupa Rose and Company to complete the project by May 31, 2025, only 70% of the work had been completed.

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The bench pointed out that while a 100-metre portion of the road had collapsed in a landslide in July, this did not justify delays in the larger stretch.

When asked about action against the contractor for failing to meet the undertaking, NHIDCL’s counsel had no instructions. Counsel for the contractor also admitted having no instructions on why the committed deadline was not met.

As a result, the bench observed that both NHIDCL and the contractor appeared “not serious with the present proceedings” as their counsels had been sent to court without proper instructions.

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Accordingly, the court directed competent representatives from both NHIDCL and Vechupa Rose and Company to appear before it on September 17, either in person or through video conferencing, to explain the status of the work and measures being taken for completion.

NH-29 case

In the other suo motu PIL concerning the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane road, the bench reviewed issues at the sinking zone in Chainage-164 and slope management along three packages.

Counsel for contractor Brand Eagles informed the court that a fresh work order may be required for additional components in the sinking area, though counsel for NHIDCL stated that he had no instructions on the matter. The contractor had earlier undertaken to complete Package-3 by September 2025.

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The court also sought updates from Maccaferri Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., which has been tasked with slope management and rockfall barricading in three packages. Counsel for the firm submitted that work was in full progress. Acting on a suggestion by Amicus Curiae Taka Masa, the court directed the company to file an affidavit on the progress before the next hearing.

Both contractors have been directed to submit updates, including on the issuance of additional work orders, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for September 24.