The protracted delay in completing the four-lane National Highway 29 (NH 29) from Purana Bazar in Dimapur to Kohima, spanning approximately 78 kilometers, has become a glaring symbol of inefficiency and neglect in Nagaland’s infrastructure development. Initiated in 2015, this ambitious project aimed to improve connectivity and spur economic growth but now finds itself mired in persistent hurdles, including periodic road blockades arising from land compensation disputes and protests over substandard construction quality. Originally scheduled for completion in 2018, the NH 29 expansion has seen its deadlines pushed back repeatedly: from 2019 to 2021, then to 2022 and 2023, followed by March 2024, and now extending into 2025 with no clear end in sight. This constant reshuffling of timelines has fostered frustration among residents, commuters, and stakeholders alike, exposing serious lapses in project management and accountability. The uneven progress and execution contrast starkly with a similar highway project in the region: the Guwahati-Jorabat to Shillong four-lane road. Covering roughly 91 kilometers, that project commenced in 2010 and was completed within five years. Not only is the Guwahati-Shillong NH 40 wider and consistently smooth, offering safer and more comfortable travel, it also exemplifies effective planning and implementation. On the other hand, the Dimapur-Kohima highway features inconsistent width-wide in some stretches but narrow throughout most parts-falling short of standardized infrastructure norms. Compounding these structural inadequacies is the piecemeal manner of construction. Sections of the highway have been completed in phases rather than cohesively, resulting in earlier completed stretches deteriorating even as construction continues on other portions. For example, on the stretch till Piphema, motorists are frequently forced to share lanes due to ongoing work, often without adequate signage or warnings. This has made the route notorious for dangerous conditions, including recurrent landslides and rockfalls, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize road safety and improve construction quality. Such extended delays and hazardous conditions demand rigorous scrutiny. Various organizations and concerned agencies must audit the technical specifications to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Accountability is paramount to prevent further deteriorations and protect public interest.The issue has also attracted political attention. During the fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly held in August 2024, BJP member and adviser for Information & Public Relations and Soil and Water Conservation, Imkong L. Imchen, highlighted the challenges faced by NH 29. He proposed developing alternative routes such as the Kohima-Zhadima-Niuland road, which could serve as a vital corridor linking Kohima and Dimapur. Imchen stressed that this alternative would alleviate pressure on the beleaguered NH 29, providing travelers with a safer, more reliable option amid ongoing construction troubles.Infrastructure is more than cement and steel-it represents progress, safety, and dignity. When roads collapse and timelines stretch indefinitely, it’s not only mobility that suffers; communities begin to lose faith in the institutions tasked with serving them. The persistent setbacks on NH 29-from land compensation disputes to dangerous construction practices-underscore a lack of policy rigor and accountability. In a state hoping to attract investment, promote tourism, and enhance everyday life, such missteps send discouraging signals. Unreliable roads inflate transportation costs, frustrate entrepreneurs, and put daily commuters at risk.
Friday, July 18, 2025