State deputy chief minister TR Zeliang, who is also the minister in-charge for National Highways, on Monday inspected the ongoing road widening project on National Highway-61 from the stretch of 72.40 to 83 km. He was accompanied by advisor to chief minister, Dr. Chumben Murry.
The inspection was carried out in the presence of the district administration, PWD National Highways, police department, TTC Infra Company, joint action committee, Lotha Hoho, Lotha Students Union and other organisations.
After the inspection, a meeting was held at the Hammock Resort, where Zeliang said that the grievances of the people were genuine and also acknowledged loopholes prevailing in many areas.
He said that the execution of work without the completion of proper formalities was also one contributing factors to the rise of the issue. At the meeting, it was resolved that all structures on compensated land should be removed by the owner within a period of ten days starting December 5, 2023. In case an individual failed to do so, the district administration would demolish illegal buildings and structures.
The deputy chief minister stated that all compensated unused land now belonged to the government and would therefore be kept for future expansion.
Zeliang stated that if all the issues like land compensation problems were solved, the completion of work should not take more than four to five months.
It was also resolved that during ten-day period, marking of the encroached areas would also be carried out. The meeting decided that the contractors and company would resume the work by December 5 at the undisturbed areas.
During the meeting, JAC convenor, Chibenthung P. Kikon welcomed the deputy chief minister’s visit and affirmed JAC’s commitment to vigilance until the specified works were satisfactorily completed as outlined in the representation submitted to contractors and DC.
Kikon stated that they identified 106 locations including drainage, culverts, protection walls, electrical poles, and unused compensated land. He expressed concerns over subletting that was affecting work quality.
PWD National Highway chief engineer, Er. I. Tiameren, acknowledged the genuine public resentment and assured full cooperation to ensure the delivery of quality roads.
Lotha Hoho chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung expressed disappointment over delayed claiming of compensated land, which led to encroachment. He urged the DC to secure the land in both documentation and action.
Ovung also asked the contractors to adhere to the stipulated timeframe for project completion, which is set to conclude by April 2024.