During the ongoing session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Minister of Roads & Bridges G Kaito Aye addressed concerns regarding the delay in the construction of the Capital Road (Bypass Road from Dimapur to Kohima) in response to a starred question by MLA Achumbemo Kikon.
Minister Aye explained that the delay in completing the project was primarily due to several factors, including litigation, alignment changes, forest clearance issues, disputes with landowners, compensation demands, and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding the firms handling the project, Minister Aye provided details on the allocated packages. Package-1 (0-11 km) and Package-III (23-34.17 km) were allotted to Vilelie Khamo and Sons, with payments amounting to Rs. 30.04 crore and Rs. 98.13 crore, respectively. Package-II (11-23 km) was awarded to M/s Coal Mines Associated Traders, with a payment of Rs. 100.99 crore. The expected completion date for the bypass road is set for March 31, 2026.
In response to a starred question from MLA Y. Lima Onen Chang regarding the status of National Highway 202 and the delays in getting the project approved, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge of National Highways T.R. Zeliang explained that the department had submitted an estimate for widening the existing single lane to a two-lane road with a paved shoulder from Km 39 to Km 283 of NH 202, in accordance with the Approved Sanction Ceiling and Annual Plan for NH(0) works for FY 2024-25. The department is awaiting further directions from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
MLA Achumbemo Kikon also raised concerns about potential land disputes delaying the NH 202 project. Minister Zeliang clarified that there were no such disputes, as all landowners had agreed to be compensated according to the existing government rate.