The Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges), Government of Nagaland, has clarified that the closure of two road projects in Noklak district was not due to land compensation disputes, but followed the discontinuation of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in December 2017.

The clarification follows a statement made during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in reply to Starred Question No. 18, which pertained to the foreclosure of two projects on an “as-is, where-is” basis: construction of the 14.54-km road from Noklak to Thonoknyu via Sanglao, and construction of the 31-km Jendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha road under Phase-II.

The department stated that while seeking an Extension of Time (EoT), the contractor had cited disturbances from landowners demanding compensation along the road alignment as one of the reasons for slow progress and failure to complete the projects within the stipulated period. The same reason was subsequently furnished by the department in its reply to the Assembly question.

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However, the department clarified that the projects were not proposed for foreclosure on account of land compensation issues. Rather, they were closed following the discontinuation of the NLCPR scheme, with the objective of avoiding duplication and enabling the remaining works to be taken up under new Central or State schemes.

During a joint meeting held at Noklak on October 28, 2026, the contractor informed the department and the Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) that work had not been stopped due to land compensation disputes. The contractor also expressed regret that this reason had been cited.

Emphasising the strategic importance of Noklak district, located along the frontier of Nagaland, the department stated that priority measures were being taken to ensure completion of the remaining road works.