The Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) has called off its agitation and ended the closure of the Executive Engineer’s Office of the Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) in Noklak following assurances from the department regarding the prioritisation and timely completion of key road projects in the district.
The decision came after a joint meeting between the KSU, PWD (R&B) and the concerned contractor to discuss issues surrounding the foreclosure of the Chendang Saddle–Noklak–Pangsha Road (Phase-II) and the Noklak–Thonoknyu Road via Sanglao.
During the meeting, the KSU expressed strong displeasure over the issue of land compensation, which had been cited as a reason for the closure of the projects during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session.
In response, the Engineer-in-Chief (E-in-C) clarified that projects funded under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme did not include provisions for land compensation. The KSU emphasised that the Khiamniungan community had never claimed or demanded land compensation for these developmental projects.
The concerned contractor, M/s Naagaamii Infra Tech Pvt. Ltd., tendered an apology to the KSU for citing land compensation issues while seeking an extension of time for the projects. The apology was accepted by the KSU representatives present at the meeting.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of road connectivity to Thonoknyu, an important administrative headquarters. The department informed the union that a proposal for improvement of the Peshu–Thonoknyu road had been submitted to the State Government under its priorities for the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2026–27.
The department further assured the KSU that necessary action would be initiated with the State Government to address the concerns raised by the union and the people of Noklak district.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
KSU’s demands on road projects
The KSU placed four key demands before the department.
For the Chendang Saddle–Noklak–Pangsha Road (Phase-II), the union demanded completion of the 31-km project, sanctioned at an approved cost of ₹164.80 crore, within 12 months.
For the Noklak–Thonoknyu Road via Sanglao, it demanded upgradation and completion to the standard of a Major District Road (MDR), with an intermediate-lane carriageway width of 5.5 metres, within 24 months.
The Union also called for expediting ongoing construction of the Noklak–Pathso Road to ensure timely completion.
Regarding the Lang River–Taingan (Myanmar) Road, the KSU demanded completion of the 88-km road, including its extension to Wui village via Nokhu and Choklangan, within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with the Revised Detailed Project Report dated November 19, 2024.
The department assured the union that the road projects would be accorded top priority and that necessary measures would be taken to ensure their timely execution.
In view of these assurances, the KSU announced the withdrawal of its agitation and the lifting of the closure of the Executive Engineer’s Office, PWD (R&B), Noklak.
Reiterating that it had never demanded compensation for developmental activities in Noklak district, the union stated that public organisations and citizens remained united in supporting the uninterrupted implementation of development projects across the region.
The KSU said it expected the department to honour its commitments and complete the projects within the stipulated timelines without further delay, in the larger interest of the people of Noklak district and the region.
