DIMAPUR, AUG 22 (NPN): The State government has said that significant progress has been made towards widening the existing single-lane NH-202 to a two-lane highway, along with other major widening projects including NH-329A, NH-702A and the Foothill Road.
According to deputy CM’s planning & Transformation and National Highway office, a meeting was held in Delhi on August 19 with senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), led by the Secretary, along with the director general and additional director general.
A major issue discussed was land acquisition and whether the National Highways Act, 1956, or the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965, should apply.
In view of the State Government’s reservations over the former in the context of Article 371(A), the Ministry has allowed the State, as an interim measure, to proceed with land acquisition under the State Act.
The meeting also discussed finalisation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). MoRTH agreed to accept the DPR already under submission despite certain technical deficiencies, with necessary modifications to be carried out in consultation with the State-appointed consultant and MoRTH engineers.
The State said this would avoid the delay involved in appointing a new DPR consultant and enable the project to move towards sanction.
It appealed for early resolution of the remaining technical issues so the project could proceed towards Union Cabinet approval.
The State Government acknowledged the difficulties faced by people of Tuensang, Shamator and Kiphire due to the condition of NH-202, and said ongoing maintenance works were only temporary measures.
It expressed confidence that the State consultant, in coordination with MoRTH officials, would resolve the remaining DPR issues at the earliest.
Sunday, August 23, 2026