DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) has clarified that two road projects in Noklak district were foreclosed due to the discontinuation of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, and not because of land compensation disputes.
In a press release, Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) said the clarification concerned the construction of the Noklak-Thonoknyu road via Sanglao (14.54 km) and the Jendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha road, Phase-II (31 km), which were the subject of Starred Question No. 18 during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session.
The department said the contractor had cited disturbances caused by landowners demanding compensation along the alignment while seeking an extension of time. The same reason was subsequently mentioned in the department’s reply to the Assembly question.
However, it clarified that the projects were closed following the discontinuation of the NLCPR scheme by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in December 2017. The closure was intended to avoid duplication and enable the remaining work to be taken up under new central or state schemes.
During a joint meeting in Noklak on October 28, the contractor informed the department and the Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) that land compensation disputes had not halted the work and expressed regret that this reason had been cited.
The department said it was prioritising measures to complete the remaining work, describing Noklak district as a frontier area and a strategic asset to the state.
Thursday, October 29, 2026