The Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) has issued a seven-day notice to the Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges), Government of Nagaland, demanding a comprehensive, point-wise and documentary-backed clarification on the prolonged delays, reported stoppage and status of the Chendang Saddle–Pangsha Phase-II Road Project and the Noklak–Thonoknyu Road via Sanglao.
Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the department’s response under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Union stated that the reply had failed to adequately address several crucial questions concerning the implementation, interruption and present status of the two road projects. It maintained that the issues required clear explanations supported by official records, particularly in view of the projects’ importance to connectivity and socio-economic development in the Khiamniungan-inhabited areas of Nagaland.
In its press release, KSU highlighted what it described as conflicting explanations regarding the reasons for the delay and stoppage of work. According to the Union, the PWD (Roads & Bridges), in its reply dated September 28, 2026, reportedly attributed the delay to the discontinuation of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER). However, the contractor had reportedly stated that work was stopped in 2022 due to unresolved land compensation issues.
The Union said these explanations had left important questions unanswered, including whether land compensation remained pending, how the issue affected the execution of the projects, and how the reported discontinuation of the funding scheme influenced their implementation. It called on the department to reconcile the differing accounts and provide a clear, documented explanation of the sequence of events that led to the interruption of work.
KSU has specifically demanded village-wise details of land compensation associated with the projects, including the amounts assessed, sanctioned and disbursed, as well as the compensation that remains outstanding. It has also sought copies of relevant records to establish the status of compensation and clarify whether unresolved payments contributed to the suspension of construction.
The Union further referred to statements made by the Chief Engineer and the contractor on July 12, 2024, which allegedly mentioned the involvement of an organisation in the stoppage of work. In this regard, KSU has sought the identity of the non-governmental organisation or other body reportedly linked to the interruption, along with documentary evidence supporting the claim. It has also asked the department to clarify the nature of the alleged intervention, the circumstances under which it occurred, and whether any inquiry was conducted or corrective action initiated.
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On the reported suspension of work during the COVID-19 period, the Union has demanded details of the precise period during which construction was interrupted, the government orders or official directives under which the suspension took place, and the measures subsequently taken to resume work. It has also sought clarification on the circumstances surrounding the reported closure of the projects, the authorities or agencies responsible for the delays, and the corrective steps proposed to address the outstanding issues.
Emphasising the need for accountability, KSU has called on the department to provide a definite and realistic completion timeline for both road projects, clearly indicating the steps required to restart or accelerate construction, the status of approvals and funding, and the measures being taken to prevent further delays.
The Union has demanded a comprehensive, point-wise response within seven days of receipt of its notice. It has warned that failure to provide a satisfactory and adequately documented reply within the stipulated period would compel it to pursue lawful and democratic means to seek accountability and press for resolution of the issues.
KSU stated that its intervention was driven by the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the projects and their direct implications for the people of the region. It stressed that reliable road connectivity was essential for students accessing educational institutions, patients travelling for healthcare, transportation of essential goods, economic activities and the delivery of public services.
The Union maintained that the concerns could not be addressed through general explanations alone and required transparency, official documentation and a clear commitment to completing the projects. It urged the department and the state government to intervene promptly, resolve outstanding issues and take concrete steps towards restoring and completing the road works.
KSU reiterated that it would continue to pursue the matter through lawful and democratic channels, seeking accountability from the concerned authorities and timely implementation of infrastructure projects considered vital to the region’s development.
