Federation alleges incomplete works and persistent defects; demands NHIDCL be replaced as implementing agency
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for an inquiry by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) into the issuance of the Completion Certificate for Package-II of the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane highway, alleging that several works remained incomplete despite the package being certified as complete.
In a press statement issued on September 13, the Federation alleged “abysmal quality of workmanship,” prolonged delays, poor maintenance and negligence in the execution and maintenance of National Highway projects by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) across Nagaland.
The NSF particularly raised concerns over the Medziphema–Peducha stretch of NH-29, citing damaged road surfaces, inadequate drainage, deteriorating side structures, poor slope protection and delayed restoration works.
According to the Federation, these deficiencies have created serious safety risks for commuters, particularly during the monsoon and at night. It further claimed that people have lost their lives and others sustained injuries in rockfalls and other road-related incidents, which it attributed to alleged failures in slope stabilisation, safety measures and timely remedial works.
Questioning the Package-II Completion Certificate, the NSF asked how the project could have been certified as complete when, according to the Federation, significant components remained pending and deficiencies continued to be visible along the highway.
The Federation also alleged that NHIDCL had failed to undertake adequate repair and rectification works despite the project being covered under a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP). It cited collapsing side walls, inadequate drainage, poor slope protection, damaged road surfaces and deficiencies in road-safety infrastructure.
The NSF further expressed concern over what it described as inadequate monsoon preparedness, including preventive drainage maintenance, slope stabilisation, erosion control, retaining structures and emergency-response mechanisms.
Referring to its earlier press statement issued on August 19, the Federation said it had previously raised concerns over inadequate safety barriers, poor road furniture, insufficient reflective markers, warning signage and other ancillary works.
It also stated that similar concerns regarding workmanship and delays had emerged in other NHIDCL projects across the state, including the Kohima Bypass, Kohima–Mao Road, Dimapur Bypass, slope protection works along NH-29, Akash Bridge–Jessami Road (NH-202), and the Peren–Dimapur section (NH-129A) Packages II and III.
The NSF has urged MoRTH to initiate an inquiry into the Dimapur–Kohima highway and investigate the circumstances surrounding the Package-II Completion Certificate. It has also called for immediate rectification of defects under the DLP and for responsibility to be fixed on officials, consultants and contractors if negligence or substandard work is established.
The Federation further urged MoRTH to take appropriate contractual and disciplinary action against contractors responsible for what it described as defective and incomplete works.
In its strongest demand, the NSF called on the Government of Nagaland and MoRTH to terminate NHIDCL as the implementing agency for the Dimapur–Kohima stretch and entrust the responsibility to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the State PWD (National Highways), as deemed appropriate.
Describing the Dimapur–Kohima highway as a critical lifeline for Nagaland and neighbouring states, the Federation said public safety and public interest should not be compromised by institutional considerations.
The NSF said it would continue to monitor NHIDCL projects across the state and warned that it would initiate “appropriate democratic measures” if alleged negligence and poor workmanship continued.
