The directorate of Health and Family Welfare (HFW) has engaged a firm- M/s North East Engineers- to carry out quality and strength tests on the ongoing construction of the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Sabangya, Mokokchung.

In an official letter dated 8 September 2025, the Executive Engineer of the Medical Engineering Division Kohima, Limadangit Walling informed the Principal Director HFW that the firm has been selected after being found to possess the required credentials and it has been tasked to assess the quality and strength of the concrete structure at the hospital site.

According to the communication, the testing will be conducted on 11 September 2025, with the firm making the necessary personnel available for the process. The letter was issued in compliance with a directive under reference number DHFW No-PD/Misc/2025-26/1917-20, dated 4 September 2025.

The move comes in the wake of complaints raised by Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) and Chungtia Village Council (CVC) regarding the quality of construction. The organizations had highlighted issues such as water leakage and weak plastering, and had demanded a joint technical inspection including rebound hammer and core cut sampling tests. The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) and Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT) also supported these demands, calling for accountability and suspension of work until proper testing was completed.

The AYUSH hospital project, sanctioned in 2019, has faced delays and criticism for substandard workmanship. Out of ₹442.91 lakh sanctioned, ₹247.13 lakh has reportedly been released, with construction progress standing at around 65%.