The Chakhesang Students' Union has opposed any further extension of time for the contractor of the NH-29 Kohima-Jessami road project.
DIMAPUR — The Chakhesang Students' Union (CSU) has submitted a representation to the executive director (Projects) of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Regional Office in Kohima, strongly opposing any further extension of time (EOT) to the contractor M/S Ratna Infra Projects Private Limited for the two-lane Kohima-Jessami road project on National Highway 29.
The CSU, while lauding the government and NHIDCL for undertaking and implementing the national highway project, stated that the inordinate delay has caused immense hardships to the general public.
In a statement, the union highlighted that the road serves as a lifeline for thousands of people, particularly those travelling to and from Phek, Kiphire, and Meluri districts. The continuing deterioration of the road has directly affected students pursuing education in the state capital and other cities, patients requiring urgent medical attention, government officials, traders, and citizens whose livelihoods depend on daily movement along the route.
According to the contract agreement, the project was required to be completed by January 4, 2026, but the contractor failed to meet the deadline. Subsequently, NHIDCL granted an EOT to the contractor until September 24, 2026.
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However, the CSU pointed out that even after the lapse of six months, the overall work progress remains at only 44.30 per cent, which it stated shows the contractor's ignorance and inability to execute the critical project.
The union noted that on June 22, the CSU, NHIDCL, and the contractor signed a six-point agreement to facilitate project completion. Despite the agreement, the project still lacks adequate machinery, required manpower, and necessary maintenance.
Furthermore, two joint inspections conducted on July 13 and August 4 showed no visible progress. A substantial portion of the road remains in a deplorable and unmotorable condition, leaving commuters stranded for hours, and several accidents have occurred due to a lack of maintenance, the CSU added.
Consequently, the CSU demanded that no further extension of time be granted to M/S Ratna Infra Projects Private Limited beyond the current deadline.
It also demanded the immediate restoration of vulnerable and severely damaged locations, alongside daily maintenance throughout the project stretch to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement.