The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a Rs 20.05-crore tender for improving the existing damaged pavement along a 63-km stretch of NH-702D, the Mariani-Mokokchung road.
The tender, titled “Improvement of the existing damaged pavement of NH-702D from Km 0.00 to Km 63.00 (Length 63 km) under PWD NH Division-II, Mokokchung,” was published on May 7, 2026.
According to the tender details, bid submission was scheduled from May 28 to June 8, with the bids opened on June 15.
Against this backdrop, the Mariani-Mokokchung Roadside Villagers Concern Forum, Chungtia Senden, held a meeting on August 8 at the Chungtia Council Hall to discuss the condition and proposed repair of the highway.
According to the forum, the meeting was necessitated by the importance of NH-702D as a lifeline road connecting Mokokchung, as well as concerns over the involvement of multiple contractors in previous works without satisfactory results.
The meeting resolved that the Mariani-Mokokchung road should be repaired at the earliest and in such a manner that it remains motorable throughout the year.
The forum further resolved that no contractor would be allowed to undertake work without the permission of the forum.
According to those who attended the meeting, members also discussed concerns that the Rs 20.05-crore tender value was too low for the scope of work. Contractors were reportedly unwilling to bid, with sources saying there were initially no bidders for the project.
The Mariani-Mokokchung Roadside Villagers Concern Forum comprises representatives from nine villages—Ungma, Khensa, Mekuli, Chungtia, Aliba, Changki, Chungliyimsen, Satsük and Japu—and four Mokokchung town wards—Mongsenbai, Aongza, Kumlong and Yimyu.
The meeting was attended by the chairmen of the nine villages and four wards.