A team comprising the Chief Engineer of PWD (NH), Executive Director of NHIDCL, Commissioner and Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, and representatives of the affected public has been constituted to carry out a site verification for the proposed NH-702 (Longleng–Longching–Mon–Tizit) two-lane road project. The team, along with technical consultants, will submit a report before the government finalizes the route alignment.
According to a report by the Eastern Mirror, the decision was discussed at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of National Highways and Planning & Transformation, TR Zeliang, on Thursday in Kohima. The meeting was convened after the Tobu-Mopong-Longchang Joint Committee for NH-702 submitted a representation calling for a review of the alignment plan.
Zeliang informed that three alignment options had been proposed for the Longleng–Mon–Tizit stretch, but landowners from 45 villages objected to two routes and insisted that only Option 1 be considered. “The landowners made it clear that they want a national highway, not a border road,” he said.
While NHIDCL officials maintained that Option 3 was shorter and technically better, Zeliang said the government would take a final decision after the verification team’s report.
Those attending the meeting included MLAs Nyamnyei Konyak, Naiba Konyak, and C Manpon Konyak, senior officials from PWD (NH), PWD (R&B), NHIDCL, and representatives from Konyak Union (Mopong) and Konyak Union (Longchang). Landowners from seven affected villages – Sowa Changle, Sowa, L/Hongnyu, Longchang, Longchang Town, Mohung, and Mohung Changai- were also present.
Zeliang said the final alignment will be decided based on both technical feasibility and local consensus to ensure smooth implementation of the highway project.
(With inputs from Eastern Mirror)
