The Ao Senden has urged the Nagaland Government to impress upon the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to revisit its July 23, 2026 decision approving the existing alignment of National Highway 702D and ensure a two-lane highway throughout the Mokokchung–Mariani stretch without any bottleneck.

In a representation to Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highways, through the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Ao Senden president, Marsen Imsong and general secretary, Imtipokyim said the existing alignment had earlier been rejected during discussions on the re-alignment of NH-702D due to terrain-related concerns and increased road distance.

The Ao Senden said various alignment options had been discussed since 2021, with Options III and IV recommended for further consideration. However, after Changki Village Council reportedly declined to issue an NOC for Option III citing its Bio Reserve Zone, the Ao Senden, Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and other stakeholders recommended Option IV at a meeting convened by the High Level Technical Team of PWD (National Highways) in July 2022.

It said the stakeholders again unanimously recommended Option IV at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall on November 20, 2024, after discussion of the modified re-alignment report prepared by MARC Technocrats Pvt. Ltd.

According to the Ao Senden, representations seeking approval of Option IV were subsequently submitted to the concerned authorities, including the Chief Engineer, PWD (National Highways), Chief Engineer (NE) and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. It also said the Civil Society Organisation, Mangkolemba, had submitted a separate representation to the Chief Secretary.

The organisation, however, said no response had been received to its appeals before the July 23, 2026 meeting of MoRTH, chaired by the Director General (Road Development) and Special Secretary, approved the existing road alignment.

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The Ao Senden said the decision was particularly concerning as the existing stretch had earlier not been recommended on terrain and distance considerations. It also referred to a statement recorded in the July 23 minutes that different tribes of Changki village were demanding that the alignment pass through their established settlements.

The organisation pointed out that MARC Technocrats, through a letter dated September 14, 2026, had subsequently clarified that the consultant had made no such statement to MoRTH or any other higher authority.

The Ao Senden further cautioned that forcing the existing 39.620-km to 42-km stretch into a two-lane configuration could create a bottleneck and pose challenges to road safety and convenience.

“…the existing road at 39.620 km to 42 km, if forced to a 2-Lane Configuration, will be no better than the Paglaphar stretch of the 4-Lane National Highway 29 (Chainage 123.840 Chathe River Bridge to Chainage 129 Kukidolong River Bridge) between Dimapur and Kohima. National Highways are constructed in the interest of the nation and the people and so the safety, interest and convenience of the people should be the prime factor in re-alignment and construction of NH 702D,” it stated.

Citing a judgment of the Kerala High Court in Pauly Vadakkan vs Corporation of Chennai & 15 Ors., the Ao Senden said development of national highways was imperative but should not come at the cost of public convenience and safety.

The organisation said its Sanen Luden (Executive Committee) meeting held on September 15, 2026, resolved that NH-702D, described as a lifeline for Mokokchung, Zunheboto and the Eastern districts, must be a two-lane highway throughout its entire stretch without any bottleneck. It stated that any configuration below two lanes at any point would not be acceptable.

The Ao Senden also highlighted the developmental importance of Mangkolemba, describing it as one of Nagaland’s oldest subdivisions and among the less developed areas in terms of infrastructure. It said a two-lane highway passing through the area could provide a significant boost to economic development.

The organisation urged the Deputy Chief Minister to intervene and impress upon the Union Minister and MoRTH to reconsider the July 23 decision and approve a two-lane NH-702D from Mokokchung to Mariani without bottlenecks anywhere along the stretch.