On day-2 of his National Highway (NH) tour, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang met with various tribal councils and village leaders to address issues related to road construction and maintenance along NH-202 and NH-702A.
Zeliang began his day by holding a meeting with the Council Chairman and Head GBs of several villages under Kiphire District at the DC’s Conference Hall. During the meeting, he assured the gathering of the State Government’s commitment to securing the sanction for the 2-laning of NH-202, which spans from Chare (39 km) in Tuensang to Akhegwo, Meluri (283 km). He emphasized the importance of this project for the development of the region and reiterated the government’s resolve to see it through.
The tour then continued to Shamator Town, where Zeliang held discussions with the Yimkhiung Tribal Council, Tikhir Tribal Council, and local village leaders, alongside Advisor Keoshu. After Shamator, the Deputy CM visited Tuensang Town, where he took stock of the ongoing work on NH-202.
One key issue addressed was the stretch of road from Saddle village to Kuthur Village in Tuensang District, which falls under the Defect Liability Period (DLP). Zeliang noted that maintenance work had not been carried out on this stretch as per the contractor’s obligations. He directed the Executive Engineer (NH) to issue an immediate notice to the contractor to begin maintenance work within 10 days. Zeliang warned that failure to comply would result in the contractor being terminated and blacklisted.
Zeliang also raised concerns about the Short-Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC) under the Kiphire and Tuensang Divisions. He expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of work, urging Division Engineers to notify the concerned contractors to expedite their efforts and complete the projects within the stipulated timeline as per the contract agreements.
Later in the day, Zeliang met with the Chang Khulei Setshang, United Sangtam Likhüm Pumji, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), and various village councils, joined by Minister P Bashangmongba Chang and Advisor Keoshu. The tribal and village councils expressed their full support for the government, particularly in the construction of the 2-lane road on NH-202. Zeliang shared updates on the DPR for Package-1, which covers the stretch from Chare (39 km) to Chendang (120 km). While the DPR was submitted last year, delays in sanctioning were due to the need for a resurvey to incorporate land compensation, in line with a state government notification from November 2023. Zeliang urged the consultant group to expedite the survey process so that the project could receive approval at the earliest.