The State government has announced significant progress in the widening of NH-202, a single-lane highway, to a two-lane highway. This development is part of several major widening projects, including NH-329A, NH-702A, and the Foothill Road.
A meeting was held in Delhi on August 19 between senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the State government, led by the deputy CM’s planning and Transformation and National Highway office. The meeting focused on land acquisition and the application of either the National Highways Act, 1956, or the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965.
Given the State Government’s reservations over the National Highways Act, 1956, in the context of Article 371(A), the Ministry has allowed the State to proceed with land acquisition under the State Act as an interim measure. The meeting also discussed the finalization of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), with MoRTH agreeing to accept the submitted DPR despite certain technical deficiencies.
MoRTH has agreed to carry out necessary modifications in consultation with the State-appointed consultant and MoRTH engineers, avoiding the delay involved in appointing a new DPR consultant. This will enable the project to move towards sanction. The State government has appealed for early resolution of the remaining technical issues to proceed towards Union Cabinet approval.
The State Government acknowledged the difficulties faced by people of Tuensang, Shamator, and Kiphire due to the condition of NH-202, stating that ongoing maintenance works are only temporary measures. It expressed confidence that the State consultant, in coordination with MoRTH officials, would resolve the remaining DPR issues at the earliest.
