Following the expiry of the 30-day deadline served to the State government for repairs on the VK Town-Doyang stretch of NH-02 (erstwhile NH-61), a team from Ao Senden conducted an on-spot verification of the highway on December 5. The inspection was carried out in collaboration with officials from PWD (NH) Mokokchung Division and representatives of the Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT).
According to a press release, PWD (NH) officials informed the Ao Senden and ALT representatives that they had “repaired the road as best as they could.” They further stated that the road construction had already been allotted to a contractor and that “two-lane road construction will begin shortly.”
It may be recalled that Ao Senden had issued an ultimatum dated October 29, 2024, to the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of National Highways. They demanded urgent repairs to the VK Town-Doyang stretch as a contingency measure. The ultimatum, published on November 4, 2024, originally expired on November 27, 2024, but an extension was granted following a request by PWD (NH). The extended deadline concluded on December 4.
During the inspection, Ao Senden representatives called on PWD (NH) to “carry out further repairing works with utmost seriousness” and ensure that the road remains “comfortable for all-time travel” for commuters. They also emphasized that the pace of road development “should not be slowed down” and urged that the two-lane construction project materialize “at the earliest.”
ALT officials present during the inspection noted with concern that the repaired highway was “patched with mud and gravel” and recommended that the repairs be “watered and compacted by a road-roller.”
It may be further noted here that NH-02 is one of the most important highways in the State connecting a number of districts with the capital Kohima.