Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 25 (NPN): Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) has demanded immediate termination of Ratna Infrastructure Project Pvt. Ltd’s contract for the Chakhabama-Kikruma stretch of National Highway-29 and retendering of the remaining work, following the expiry of the extended completion deadline.
Speaking to the media at the Ratna Infrastructure Project Pvt. Ltd base camp, CSU president Povozo Soho said the company had repeatedly failed to meet project commitments despite extensions and opportunities to complete the work.
He demanded that NHIDCL terminate the contract and retender the project within 72 working hours.
CSU general secretary Rhilo Chiero said the balance work on Chakhabama-Kikruma stretch was awarded to Ratna Infrastructure Project Pvt. Ltd on October 10, 2023, with the original completion deadline set for January 4, 2026.
He alleged that the company failed to complete the work within the stipulated period.
Further, Chiero alleged that NHIDCL subsequently extended the deadline to September 24, 2026, but that the extended deadline had also expired with only 44.30% of the work completed.
He said the prolonged delay had severely affected commuters using the Kohima-Jessami road, which serves Pfutsero, Meluri, Kiphire and surrounding villages. He said CSU had raised the issue for more than two years and repeatedly engaged with the company, but alleged that assurances to accelerate the work had not resulted in substantial progress.
Following the expiry of the deadline, the CSU sealed the Ratna company’s base camp and said it would not allow the company to undertake further work on the project.
The union has given NHIDCL 72 working hours to terminate the contract and retender the remaining work to another contractor.
Chiero warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would compel CSU to impose a total shutdown of the road from September 30, 2026.