State deputy chief minister, TR Zeliang, who is also minister in-charge of National Highway (NH), on Friday, disclosed that the state government was considering closing road projects that have been stalled for several years due to unresolved land acquisition issues.
He said this while speaking to media persons at his residence here Friday, after returning from four-day NH projects inspection tour. Zeliang began his tour on November 11 from Kohima and covered over 750 km across five districts (Phek, Kiphire, Shamator, Tuensang, and Mokokchung). He said the tour was aimed at addressing delays and ensuring positive progress of highway projects.
Zeliang in particular spoke about the perennial problem of land compensation and land acquisition and in particular, the practice by some villagers along NH-702 (A) who constructed non-residential building structures, having no doors and windows but erected only to claim compensation.
Zeliang disclosed that such illegal structures have come up along NH-702 (A) stretch from 159 km to 173 km under Phek district. He described such practice as “highly unethical” and warned that this could lead to delay or even failure to sanction the project. Zeliang made it clear that amount for land and damage compensation cannot be more than cost of road construction.
He also informed that the respective DCs will issue notice to the owners to dismantle the structures within 30 days of the notice, failing which all such structures will be destroyed by the administration and police.
Zeliang also revealed that owing to problems caused by exorbitant demand for compensation of land and building, a total of 40 projects under NEC have been stopped as they cannot move forward.
He also lamented that due to the problem, complacent reports for the last 10 years could not be issued. He therefore, said the state government was compelled to recommend closure of those projects, which have been stalled due to land issue since there is no provision to for payment of land compensation other than for National Highway projects.
“I am bringing this to light, because land compensation matter has been one major issue for failure and delay of projects. One of the reasons for my tour was to request the public not to hamper the National Highway projects with land issues,” he stated.
Zeliang has appealed to the land owners to accept whatever rate was finalized by the state government and not to fix their own rate. He also hinted that in order to address the problem, the state government was contemplating amending the Nagaland Land Acquisition Act.
Zeliang renewed his appeal to the public to cooperate and willingly part their land by accepting land compensation so that state can construct sustainable road.
Zeliang said one of the reasons for undertaking the tour was to hold meetings with respective DCs and all tribal hobos. He said that DCs and ADCs could play vital role in solving the problem of land compensation as it was DCs who assessed compensation for land and damages.
He said the other reason for the tour was to sensitise all stakeholders and to convince them to cooperate with the state government in respect for land acquisition for construction of NH.
The other reasons were to inspect the road repair works under Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) and Improvement of Riding Quality Programme (IRQP).
Zeliang expressed his dissatisfaction with the repairs and quality work and has instructed the chief engineer and engineers to issue notice to the contractors to resume the work within 10 days, failing which, the contracts ought to be terminated and contractors responsible black listed.
Zeliang said the touring team visited NH-702 (A), stretching from Settsu Junction in Mokokchung to Meluri Town via Zunheboto and Phek, with a total length of 221 km. He said that this highway was currently under Alignment Finalization Stage for 2-laning and was undertaken by consultant group “Geo Design” a Gujarat-based firm.
Zeliang said that the team also visited NH-202 spanning 326.5 km from Chuchuyimpang in Mokokchung to Akash Bridge near Meluri, with 43.5 km under NHIDCL and the remaining 283 km divided into three packages under NPWD (NH).
Zeliang expressed his appreciation of the villagers , tribal leaders, and village councils along the above stretch for cooperating with the DC. He said that the villagers were willing to allow road construction through their villages without hindrance.
The deputy chief minister also expressed happiness that the village councils and tribal hohos of the above areas, have assured him that no new structures along the proposed lane would be allowed.
He said that at a meeting, he requested the consultant group to divide the survey into three packages to go ahead with the alignment and survey works simultaneously so duration was shortened.
Referring to his meeting with Union Minister for Communications and DoNER, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Thursday, Zeliang said that the Union Minister expressed dismay over the state’s delays in project execution.
Meanwhile, asked whether any proposals were submitted to Scindia besides NH, he said that they did not discuss about national highway. Zeliang said that projects below Rs. 5 crore were directly handled by NEC, while those exceeding Rs 5 crore were managed by the DoNER Ministry.
During discussions, Zeliang said Scindia advised the state to either foreclose projects and return unused funds, or submit new proposals for fresh sanctions.
Asked about the land compensation rate for national highway projects, deputy chief minister said that compensation rates would be determined after assessments were conducted by a committee chaired by the deputy commissioner.
“The rates will be as per the Nagaland Settlement Rate 2021” and that the assessment committee would evaluate damages based on existing structures such as RCC buildings or thatched houses, and submit the report for government approval.
Asked about the state government’s comments regarding the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) and the expected tripartite talks, Zeliang replied that the Cabinet has already submitted its recommendations.
He disclosed that a delegation including chief minister, home minister, and himself will be meeting the union home minister on November 18 to discuss the matter. “After the discussion, we will know what is possible and what is not,” he said but refused further comment.
On the ongoing road construction at NH-36, Zeliang said he had directed the chief engineer to inspect the road’s progress and report back. “If the contractor fails to meet the schedule, we will issue a termination notice and invite new tenders,” he warned.
Zeliang informed that the contractor had cited difficulties in installing hot mix plants in residential areas as a reason for delay. Zeliang said he suggested that the same could be located outside town areas.
Regarding the contractor’s request for an Extension of Time (EOT), Zeliang said such approvals rest with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Delhi. Whether the EOT is granted or not, the state would issue a notice if the work did not resume within 10 days, said Zeliang.
Asked where flyovers will be constructed in Dimapur, Zeliang said it was also the vision of the state government to construct two or three flyovers in Dimapur district.