Independent MLA Kevipodi Sophie today expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the construction of the Two-Lane Package-4 Road from D-Khel, Kohima Village to Kigwema Village.
In a supplementary statement during the ongoing Assembly session, he revealed that the work order for the project was issued in the year 2000 with a stipulated completion period of 18 months, yet the road remains incomplete even after passage of several years.
Sophie underlined the critical importance of National Highway-2 (formerly NH-39), describing it as the vital lifeline of the entire Southern Angami region and the key route connecting Nagaland to the state of Manipur. Referring to the recent landslide at Phesama, he said the disruption once again exposed the vulnerability of the highway, severely affecting the movement of people and goods especially affecting students who rely on it daily to reach schools and colleges.
He argued that if the long-pending bypass road from D-Khel, Kohima to Kigwema had been completed on schedule, such incidents would have been significantly mitigated. The incident has underscored the urgency of a reliable alternative, he said.
At the same time, Sophie acknowledged and appreciated the proactive role of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Ministers in visiting the affected site and offering reassurance to the public. He also commended the NHIDCL and contractors for their ongoing restoration work despite adverse weather conditions.
However, he added that in light of the current situation, it is imperative that the concerned department hold NHIDCL fully accountable for the prolonged delay in completing the By-Pass Road and stated that the project must be urgently expedited and completed without further delay, in strict adherence to the contract agreement.
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TR Zeliang’s response
Replying to the concerns, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of PWD (NHs), TR Zeliang, clarified the State Government’s position. He explained that the project in question is being undertaken by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and is directly controlled by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). “All contractors are selected by MoRTH through their official portals, and no authority has been delegated to the State Government,” Zeliang said.
He informed the House that the State Government has convened several review meetings to pressurize NHIDCL for quality work and timely completion. These meetings were held under his chairmanship and that of the Chief Secretary and Additional Heads of Departments on October 16, 2024; March 5, 2025; June 5, 2025; July 7, 2025; and July 18, 2025 with repeated directions to NHIDCL for quality work and timely completion.
He said, however, the state had observed that without financial control or administrative command over NHIDCL officials, the State Government has faced several handicaps. These concerns have been raised with the Ministry in Delhi on many occasions, but no substantive solution has emerged, he added.
On the proposal for a bypass to avoid the Phesama landslide area, Zeliang said it has been submitted to MoRTH and is currently under examination. He stressed that completion of the Kohima bypass is urgent to ease traffic congestion. The contractor was appointed on October 15, 2020, with an original completion date of April 17, 2022 and this was extended to February 6, 2025, and the latest completion target is now March 31, 2026, he disclosed.
Zeliang said the delays were caused by land acquisition hurdles and legal issues. He highlighted that for the 1.92 km stretch (km 32–34), the Kohima Bench of the High Court permitted resumption of work by its order dated June 25, 2025. For the last 2.743 km stretch (km 40+711 to 43+454), a resurvey was required due to alignment variation, which was finalized with the Deputy Commissioner Kohima and village councils in August 2025.
He said court cases relating to land compensation were disposed of on November 29, 2024. Meanwhile, the State filed an appeal and arbitration was initiated by the EPC contractor in July 2023, with proceedings still ongoing. He said NHIDCL has already issued notices of intention to terminate the contractor—on May 22, 2023, and again on January 18, 2025.
Regarding the way forward, he said that the EPC contractor has been directed to commence work on stretches permitted by court orders. The final alignment proposal for the last 2.743 km was submitted by RO Kohima to NHIDCL headquarters on August 20, 2025, and is under examination at MoRTH. “Should the contractor fail to comply, the contract will be terminated,” he cautioned.
