Supongmeren Jamir pulls up NHIDCL over delays in Nagaland road projects

DIMAPUR — Concerned over prolonged delays and recurring disruptions in key road projects, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland S Supongmeren Jamir on Saturday convened a high-level review meeting with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to take stock of ongoing national highway works across Nagaland.

The meeting, held at NHIDCL regional office in Kohima, was attended by RP Singh, Executive Director (Projects), and Anand Kumar, Deputy General Manager (Projects), besides contractors and consultants associated with various NHIDCL projects in the state. Jamir was accompanied by Akuonuo Miachieo, General Secretary of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC).

Raising what he termed a matter of “serious public inconvenience,” Jamir expressed dismay over frequent blockages along the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane highway, particularly in the New Chümoukedima area.

The stretch, part of National Highway-29, was scheduled for completion by September 25, 2025, according to reports submitted to the Ministry of DoNER, but continues to face recurring disruptions.

Also read: Deputy CM faults NHIDCL for ignoring state’s advice on NH-29 project in Nagaland

The MP sought detailed explanations for the delays plaguing the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane, Kohima bypass, and Kohima–Jessami road projects, and pressed for immediate remedial steps.

In a presentation, NHIDCL Executive Director RP Singh briefed that multiple factors—including natural disruptions, extended monsoon periods, technical bottlenecks, and local issues—had contributed to the setbacks.

He informed that while the Dimapur bypass and Package 2 of the Dimapur–Kohima project have been completed, Package 3 is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by December 2025.

For Package 1, which covers the New Chümoukedima stretch, Singh said that protective measures to address frequent landslides had been identified and were awaiting final approval for execution.

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Regarding the Kohima bypass project, Singh admitted slow progress across Packages 1, 2, and 4, attributing the delays to technical challenges, tunnel distress, and local factors.

Corrective actions, he assured, were being implemented to bring the project back on schedule.

On the Kohima–Jessami road, Singh said most initial issues had been resolved and that the project was now on track for completion by September 2026.

Calling for better coordination among all stakeholders, Jamir urged NHIDCL to maintain close communication with the state government to address obstacles promptly.

He further announced that another review meeting with NHIDCL officials and contractors will be held in November, during which progress reports on all highway projects will be tabled.

The MP assured the officials and contractors of his full support and necessary interventions to ensure the timely completion of road projects in the public interest.