The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has accused the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) of what it described as “abysmal quality of workmanship, prolonged delays and gross negligence” in the execution and maintenance of road infrastructure projects across Nagaland.
The Federation singled out the upgraded four-lane Dimapur-Kohima Road, describing it as a “glaring example of compromised construction standards and administrative failure” despite the issuance of a Completion Certificate in 2023.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NSF alleged numerous damages along various stretches of the highway, including collapsing side walls, poor or non-existent slope protection, inadequate drainage systems, lack of proper maintenance and delays in repairing damaged portions.
The Federation said the project falls under a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP), but alleged that necessary repair and maintenance works had not been undertaken. It said this raised questions over “the quality of construction, supervision and accountability” of NHIDCL and the contractors involved.
The NSF also alleged that several bridge structures along the Dimapur-Kohima stretch “appear to have been compromised in design and execution”, claiming that four-lane bridge infrastructure ought to have been provided at multiple locations in conformity with upgraded highway standards.
The Federation further raised concerns over road safety infrastructure, citing the absence of median beautification and landscaping, poor road furniture, inadequate safety barriers and a lack of proper road indicators, reflective markers and warning signages. It said these deficiencies posed risks to public safety, particularly during adverse weather conditions and night-time travel.
Beyond the Dimapur-Kohima highway, the NSF said similar complaints had emerged from several districts and project sites where NHIDCL is executing infrastructure works. It cited the Kohima Bypass Road, Kohima-Mao Road Upgradation Project, Dimapur Bypass Project, slope protection works along NH-29, Akash Bridge-Jessami Road (NH-202) and the Peren-Dimapur section of NH-129A Packages II and III.
According to the Federation, civil society organisations and local communities have repeatedly raised concerns over the quality of construction in these projects.
The NSF questioned why NHIDCL had not initiated “disciplinary proceedings or punitive actions” against contractors it alleged were responsible for poor execution despite repeated public complaints and what it described as “overwhelming evidence of deficiencies”.
The Federation has demanded an immediate and comprehensive inspection of all NHIDCL projects in Nagaland, along with immediate repair and rectification of defects covered under the DLP.
It also called for completion of pending works, including drainage systems, slope protection measures, retaining structures, road safety installations and signages, and demanded the termination and blacklisting of contractors found responsible for substandard work.
The NSF further called on the State Government to intensify its engagement with NHIDCL and take up the matter with the concerned authorities for appropriate disciplinary action against responsible NHIDCL officials and contractors.
The Federation said it would continue to monitor NHIDCL projects across the State and warned that it would be compelled to initiate “democratic measures and necessary course of action” if alleged negligence, poor workmanship, delays and compromised quality continued.