Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge of PWD (National Highways), TR Zeliang informed today in the 5th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly that the Project Management Consultancy Services for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for NH 702 D, Mokokchung junction to Mariani has been initiated.

Zeliang was replying to a starred question from Nuklutoshi, MLA on the status of NH 702 D, and its maintenance. The MLA had also questioned why the two-lane expansion has not been initiated even after being accorded the status of National Highway (since 2018)?

To this, the Deputy CM said that Short Term Maintenance Work is ongoing on the Highway on 0.00 (Mokokchung Jn) to Km 63.00 (Longtho). He also stated that pre-construction activity and construction supervision of 2-laning with paved shoulder of NH 702 D from Mokokchung to Watiyim (Km 0.00 to Km 70.00) has been initiated and is currently ongoing.

Replying to a Supplementary question raised by Nuklutoshi, MLA on how long it will take the department to prepare the DPR for submission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and which firm is taking charge of the project of NH 702 D, TR Zeliang stated that this project was declared ten years back but project consultant met project Management consultancy services, who was appointed by MoRTH, only on 30th March 2023 for DPR. He further said that MS Marc Technocrats Pvt. Ltd was given charge for pre-construction activities and construction supervision for the two lane and that the work commenced on 10th May 2023.

The consultant group had submitted the alignment report after completion of the survey of alignment on 9 August 2024 via email and they are yet to receive the hard copy, Zeliang said, adding that since the work is ongoing and the contractor had been appointed after receiving the hard copy they will take up the matter for sanction of the project.