KSU demands probe into closure, refund of Noklak road project

DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) has expressed concern over remarks made during the ninth session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) regarding the closure of road development projects in Nagaland, particularly the Chendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha Road (Phase-II), covering approximately 31 km, and the Noklak-Thonoknyu via Sanglao Road project, covering approximately 59 km.
The union said the explanations presented on the floor of the House did not fully reflect the factual situation on the ground. While acknowledging prolonged monsoon conditions, difficult terrain and recurring landslides as genuine challenges, it said any attribution of non-execution or closure of the projects to land compensation issues must be supported by clear and verifiable documentary evidence.
KSU said that during its engagement with village authorities, landowners, contractors, implementing agencies, civil society organisations and the public, it had not come across any instance where the projects were obstructed specifically due to unresolved land compensation demands.
It further claimed that based on information available to it and records maintained by the executive engineer, PWD (R&B), Noklak division, it had not found any record establishing that the projects were delayed, suspended or discontinued specifically due to land compensation disputes.
The Union demanded that if such claims existed, the concerned authorities produce the relevant official records and documentary evidence. It sought answers to where and when the alleged compensation issue arose, which villages and landowners were involved, the amount demanded, whether any formal claim or representation was submitted, under whose authority the projects were executed and monitored, which contractor or agency was entrusted with the work, how much of the sanctioned funds was utilised, and the circumstances leading to refund and closure. On the role of monsoon and landslides, KSU said Noklak, like other districts, faced difficult terrain, landslides and prolonged monsoon conditions. However, it said these challenges could not by themselves justify prolonged non-execution or closure of major infrastructure projects.
It sought a clear account of the work executed, the portion left incomplete, funds utilised, reasons preventing further execution and circumstances leading to closure.
Rs 1,570.97 lakh refund questioned: KSU said the reported refund of Rs 1,570.97 lakh in connection with the Chendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha Road (Phase-II) project required a clear and transparent explanation. It also sought an explanation for why the project remained incomplete more than 14 years after its commencement.
KSU sought details on the physical work completed, sanctioned amount utilised, reasons for non-utilisation of the remaining funds, reasons for closure, and the authorities who recommended and approved the closure and refund.
Public cooperation highlighted: KSU said the people of Noklak district had consistently supported genuine developmental projects.
During execution of the Chendang Saddle–Noklak Road project in 2022, it said the public extended full cooperation, with communities voluntarily providing stones and other locally available construction materials.
It also said NGOs, civil society organisations, village authorities and community organisations in Noklak had consistently supported genuine development activities. The Union acknowledged that Naga political groups operating in the region had generally extended cooperation to development works concerning roads, connectivity and public infrastructure.
KSU said it was therefore concerning if the people of Noklak were indirectly portrayed as an impediment to development when, according to it, the ground reality reflected cooperation from the public and other stakeholders.
The Union said people were concerned with what existed on the ground rather than merely what existed on paper, adding that they had suffered from poor connectivity for decades while cooperating with development projects and contributing land, locally available resources and logistical support.
KSU also questioned the “concerned authority” over repeated awarding of works for the same stretch to contractors or firms with a record of unsatisfactory execution.
It resolved that any contractor or firm that withdrew, abandoned or wilfully defaulted on departmental project execution in contravention of stipulated DIPR specifications should be held accountable and permanently debarred from undertaking future projects within the ancestral land of the Khiamniungans.
The Union said no alleged force majeure or unsubstantiated compensation claim should be accepted as a pretext for contractual non-performance or evasion of liability.
KSU said it remained ready for an open, transparent and fact-based discussion with government departments, executing agencies, contractors, public representatives and other stakeholders.
It reiterated that the people of Noklak had never been against development and had supported, cooperated with and contributed resources towards genuine development works. The Union said people should not be made a “scapegoat” for failure or closure of projects without documentary evidence, adding that facts, records and ground reality should speak for themselves.