MLA Nuklutoshi Longkumer inaugurates the 2.2 km cement concrete roads constructed under SASCI 2025–26
Arenjungla Kichu
Akhoya | 27 June
A Rs 2.91 crore road project comprising two cement concrete roads in Akhoya village, completed about a month after the work order was issued despite an allotted completion period of 12 months, was inaugurated by MLA Nuklutoshi Longkumer on Saturday.
It was constructed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025–26 by M/S Ensign Construction.
The project comprises 1 km of L Pangersowa Road and 1.2 km from Longchar Junction to RC Chiten Jamir Memorial Government High School Road, bringing the total length to 2.2 km.
According to the technical report presented by Er Waloniba of the Urban Engineering Wing-III, the project was sanctioned under SASCI in March 2026 and the work order was issued on May 4. The work was completed on June 6. The allotted completion period was 12 months.
Besides the single-lane cement concrete pavement, the project includes side drains and steeped culverts.
Speaking at the program, Tiatemjen, Chairman of Akhoya Village Council, said the approach road to RC Chiten Jamir Memorial Government High School had remained in poor condition even as the institution approached its 60th year, making it difficult for people to walk to the school.
Advocate Akum Jamir, who studied at the school till Class 10, described the road as the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration.
“For 35 years, it was my dream to make this road. Finally, we have a good road,” he said.
A representative of Changtongya Town Council noted that the school is one of the oldest high schools and the only Government High School in the village, adding that maintaining the newly constructed road should now be the responsibility of the community.
Headmaster I Chubasenba Longkumer described the school as the “heart” and “nerve centre” of Akhoya village, saying it remained a place where the community united despite differences. He noted that the school receives only Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 annually under one financial head, making community support indispensable.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the program, Akum Jamir attributed the project’s early completion to advance planning, timely procurement of materials and the use of a high-capacity concrete mixing machine.
“The machine can mix 20 bags of cement and make 13 trips in a day. We could cover more than 100 metres in a day. Exactly 20 days were needed for the road alone,” he said.
Asked how he justified the Rs 2.91 crore cost for the 2.2-km project, he said the expenditure extended beyond the pavement itself.
“There is a big culvert, drainage and retaining wall. Additional approach road we have constructed,” he said, adding that the project also involved land development works and that some construction materials and machinery were voluntarily provided to community institutions, including the hospital, Tsungmokong Ward and a church.
On the quality of the work, he said the workmanship was good, adding that the pavement thickness was “5 and 4” (inch) and that the required concrete ratio was maintained through the use of the machine.
When asked what made it possible to complete the work early, Er Waloniba said the contractor’s preparedness enabled the project to be completed ahead of schedule.
“Due to the availability of the material plus contractor has arranged everything from his side and then he could invest and bring whatever is necessary for the project in time. We allotted 12 months keeping in mind the monsoon period but they completed the work before the monsoon period,” he said.
He added that the project was executed according to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), while additional culverts, side drains and land cutting were carried out in response to requests from local residents.
When asked about the choice of pavement, the engineer explained that rigid concrete pavement and flexible bituminous pavement are selected according to site conditions rather than one being inherently superior.
“Flexible pavement is constructed where there is more possibility of sinking or landslides, while rigid pavement generally has a longer service life where site conditions permit,” he said.
In his address, MLA Nuklutoshi Longkumer congratulated the contractor for completing the work well within the stipulated period and thanked all those involved in the successful execution of the project.
