Says union never obstructed any development works
Southern Angami Highway Land Owners’ Union (SAHLOU) has accused the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) of falsely claiming that it (SAHLOU) restrained developmental activities within its areas for the ongoing Phesama-Khuzama 2-lane project.
SAHLOU president Dr Atha Vizol said this while addressing a section of media on Thursday. He clarified that SAHLOU had never, at any point of time, obstructed any developmental activity within its areas, especially on the ongoing work of NH.
He said NHIDCL had been issuing numerous press statements and even misled the High Court with false allegations against the landowners.
Dr.Atha also mentioned that SAHLOU had in fact, issued No-objection Certificate (NoC) from Phesama check gate to Khuzama village State boundary inclusive of the entire stretch of two-lane road from Phesama to Khuzama.
Atha however accused NHIDCL of dishonouring and disregarding the NoC issued by village authorities without any rhyme or reason by reducing 7 km – from Phesama check gate to Kigwema bypass junction – from the existing length of the project and further reduced the scope of the NH. He said this was in total violation of the contract agreement.
He challenged NHIDCL and contractors to come forward and locate, identify the landowners on the spot and point out those who were hindering the ongoing work.
Dr Atha warned that in the event of failing to do so, NHIDCL and contractors would be held responsible for any eventuality.
He reminded NHIDCL that the State government had already approved the damage compensation liabilities for the landowners and accordingly forwarded a letter to the Centre for approval and sanction.
Until then, he declared that the landowners would not be able to freely part with their land for right of way (RoW) without compensation for construction of the two-lane road.
He also thanked the high court for timely intervention in the ongoing work programme. Dr Atha also expressed the hope that the court will continue to explore opportunities in restoring the principle of natural justice.
He cautioned NHIDCL and the contractors against playing with safety and security of lives of the people. Dr.Atha disclosed that NHIDCL had dug out illegal culverts at various points along the highway and caused huge damage to land in its vicinity, including irrigation channels and cultivation.
It may be noted that Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) had on March 3 this year, written a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio urging him to address their grievances vis-à-vis the road.
SAPO pointed out to the chief minister that NHIDCL had been spreading rumours that it was not getting RoW. SAPO also claimed that no landowner had objected to providing land for development of NH. The organisation also clearly mentioned that the landowners had only demanded that they should not be discriminated against as their land were acquired for development of NH and associate purposes acquired under section-3 of National Highways Act 1955.
SAPO said compensation was determined in accordance with the 1st schedule of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act 2013, similar to what had been done throughout the road length of the highway.
SAPO in its letter had also demanded that the schedule items and specifications should be the same from Police Reserve gate till 211.709 km.
The chief minister had also on March 15 this year written a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari and raised the issues with regard to Kohima-Mao two-lane road project with a total distance of 18.6 km.
Highlighting the importance of the inter-state road, which also connects till Myanmar, Rio stressed on the need to clear the damage compensation to the landowners for 15.35km, as per the assessment carried out by the district authorities.
Rio, however, said that damage estimate for the remaining 3.25 Km could not be completed due to technical reasons.