Nagaland: NTC appeals to CM for restoration of Wokha-Dimapur road

Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has appealed to the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio for immediate restoration of the old Wokha-Dimapur road connectivity.
In an open letter to the chief minister, NTC president Pankathung Lotha and general secretary Onen Walling highlighted that Dimapur-Wokha road was constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) 30-35 years ago as a single-lane black-topped highway, which was handed over to the state government due to its short distance.
NTC claimed that instead of maintaining the road, the state government diverted it from Yankele village (Wokha district) via 10th Mile and Botsa station (Kohima district). The council also stated that the 45-50 km stretch from Yankele to Wokha town was diverted without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the public or four elected MLAs from Wokha district.
Despite this, NTC said the Roads & Bridges department Wokha division managed to maintain parts of the stretch with limited resources, allowing limited private/public transport services from Wokha to Meriyan during winter months. However, the road becomes impassable in summer, severely affecting agriculture, horticulture, and public movement.
NTC stressed that restoring this connectivity would benefit at least ten districts—Dimapur, Kohima, Niuland, Chümoukedima, Tseminyü, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Shamator, and Noklak.
It further asserted that the road served no political or tribal agenda but was a genuine public need.
NTC pointed out Wokha district’s strategic location bordering Assam (Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong), facing frequent border clashes and land disputes.
It also highlighted major projects like the Doyang Hydro Project (NEEPCO) and Champang oil/gas field, which were served by only 20-25km of NH from Satsüphen just beyond Kandinyu (Tseminyü district) to Doyang bridge.
Terming as “insult and mockery” to label Wokha a “land of plenty” amid such neglect after 63 years of statehood, NTC expressed regret that repeated representations by Lotha Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, Wokha District Planning Board, and four MLAs have yielded no positive action.
Therefore, NTC has made a “final and fervent appeal” to the state government and responsible departments to restore the old Dimapur-Wokha road connectivity.
NTC also appealed to name the restored route Dimapur to Noklak/Shamator as “Central Nagaland Trans Road/Route” and urged early action in the interest of justice for the Naga public.