Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of National Highway and Planning & Transformation, TR Zeliang, chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Conference Hall of the Planning & Transformation Department to review the alignment of the proposed NH-702 Longleng–Longching–Mon–Tizit two-lane road project.
The meeting was convened following a representation submitted by the Tobu–Mopong–Longchang Joint Committee concerning the proposed alignment of the highway.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Zeliang said the NH-702 stretch includes the Longleng–Longching–Aboi section under Mon district, for which three alternative alignment options had been examined. He informed that the State Government had initially intended to recommend Option 1 to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for extension, subject to formal consultation.
However, the Deputy Chief Minister revealed that landowners from 45 affected villages had lodged a complaint urging the Government to retain Option 1 and not replace it with Option 2 or Option 3. While the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) found Option 3 to be technically favourable—being shorter, straighter, and with a more manageable gradient—Option 1 includes two to three critical stretches posing engineering challenges, he said.
To address the issue, Zeliang informed that a joint technical verification team comprising the Chief Engineer (NH), PWD, Executive Director of NHIDCL, Commissioner & Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, and public representatives has been constituted to conduct a detailed study and submit its findings.
“A conclusive decision will only be taken after the joint verification team completes its study and submits the findings,” he stated.
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Zeliang recalled that the matter was earlier presumed settled with the proposal to construct an alternative Border Road alongside the NH-702 project. However, the affected villages have rejected the Border Road proposal, insisting on a National Highway alignment under NH-702.
He added that the technical verification team would proceed for field inspection once the consultant team—currently in Delhi—returns. “Only after their joint findings are submitted will the Government take a final call,” he clarified.
Responding to a query, Zeliang maintained that the Government has not decided to adopt Option 3, and though about 19 kilometres had earlier been deducted from Option 1, the Government would now permit BRO to extend and cover the entire original stretch to address the concerns raised by landowners.
He concluded that since the affected villages remain firm in their demand to retain Option 1, the issue was thoroughly discussed during the meeting and the final decision would be made only after receiving the technical team’s comprehensive report.
