The Urban Engineering Wing of the Government of Nagaland has officially issued a work order to M/s North East Enterprises for the “Improvement of road from rotary junction to IOC, Mokokchung town” under the Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2024-25-Part-1 (Untied-Natural Disaster).
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, addressed to the contractor firm based in Dimapur, the Executive Engineer-III of the Urban Engineering Wing, Er Chumbeno Shidio, stated, “On the approval of Additional Chief Engineer, Urban Engineering Wing, Nagaland Kohima, I am directed to issue the Work-Order for the said work amounting to Rs. 242.72 Lakhs (Rupees Two Crore Forty Two Lakhs Seventy Two Thousand) only.”
This development follows persistent concerns raised by the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM), who have long highlighted the “deplorable road conditions” between Rotary Junction and IOC. On March 24, 2025, OKM submitted a representation to the Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Development Department, urging immediate repairs and requesting a response within 15 days.
In a letter dated April 7, 2025, the department confirmed that the roadwork was included in the SASCI 2024-2025 list of projects but did not provide a specific timeline for repairs. The lack of a concrete commitment to a start date led to further frustrations from the OKM, who emphasized the need for a “concrete time-bound action plan.”
On April 9, 2025, a joint meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mokokchung, with representatives from the Urban Development Department and OKM in attendance.
During the meeting, officials acknowledged that “30-45 days” would be required to complete the necessary departmental and administrative procedures before work could begin.
The OKM has stressed that the urgent repairs to this crucial road segment should begin within the time frame promised by officials. In their latest statement, OKM warned that failure to act within the agreed-upon period would lead to agitation by the community to ensure that their demands are heard.
Contractor to face stringent conditions
The stipulated time for completion of the project is eight months from the date of commencement, with a defect liability period of two years from the date of completion. “Any damage/defects detected shall be corrected by the contractor at their own without which security money will be forfeited and the same will be made good by the Engineer-in-Charge,” the work order states.
The payment for the project, however, is “subjected to availability of fund by the State Government of Nagaland,” and “all taxes/deductions as may be prescribed by the State Govt. from time to time shall be deducted from the contract work values as per the prevailing terms & rules at the particular time.”
The department further clarified that no mobilization advance will be given and no enhancement of rates will be considered.
Contractor M/s North East Enterprises has been asked to report to the office of the Executive Engineer within 10 days “to execute formal agreement of the contract during any office working hour.” The commencement date of the work will be “reckoned 15 (fifteen) days from the date of issue of this order or the actual date of commencement of work whichever is earlier.”
Additionally, the contractor has been instructed to “contact the undersigned to possess the work site and collect working drawing to start the work following all the specification,” and that “materials to be used in the work will have to be arranged by the Contractor from your own resources at your own risk and cost.”
Materials brought to the site must be “physically approved by the Engineer-in-Charge before use otherwise the same cannot be recorded for payment,” the order warned.