NH-202 landowners reject maintenance contract, issue 15-day ultimatum demanding 2-laning project and pending compensation from Nagaland government
DIMAPUR — Landowners affected by the proposed Kiphire–Meluri section of National Highway-202 have rejected the recently sanctioned Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC), demanding immediate progress on the long-pending 2-laning project and release of pending land compensation.
The Affected Landowners’ Union, representing landowners along the Kiphire to Akhego stretch, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government and authorities concerned, warning that failure to meet its demands would lead to “stronger democratic and public actions”.
In an ultimatum addressed to the deputy commissioners and chairpersons of the District Land Acquisition Selection Boards (DLSB) of Kiphire and Meluri on Tuesday, the union declared that it would not allow STMC or temporary repair work to operate along the Kiphire–Akhego stretch.
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It expressed “deep disappointment and strong objection” to the decision to undertake short-term maintenance, arguing that the temporary intervention should not take precedence over the long-awaited 2-laning of NH-202.
According to the union, affected landowners had given their consent for the 2-laning project in 2014 in the expectation that the highway would contribute to the region’s long-term socio-economic development.
It claimed that departmental teams had conducted field and technical surveys three or four times over the past decade, with the latest survey completed on July 12, 2025, but that the project had yet to move forward.
The union also cited an assurance allegedly given by Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang during his visit to Kiphire on November 12, 2024, that fair compensation would be disbursed to affected landowners to facilitate the immediate rollout of the 2-laning project.
It added that the shift towards a short-term maintenance contract had caused frustration among landowners and stakeholders, who viewed it as a departure from the commitments made regarding the permanent highway project.
The union has demanded that no STMC or temporary repair work be allowed on the Kiphire–Akhego stretch and that the government immediately proceed with the 2-laning project.
It has also demanded the release of all pending compensation to affected landowners.
The union urged the authorities to address the demands within 15 days from the date of issuance of the ultimatum, warning that failure to do so would compel it to initiate further public action.