AN UPHILL TASK

The SARDP-North East (Special Accelerated Road Development Programme) Project under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode is being constructed under three packages (excluding Dimapur & Kohima Bypass).

However, the works are going beyond deadline for various reasons. According to a Raj Bhavan Kohima document, the date of completion “as per contract agreement” for Package I-III was on September 15, 2019. Information on the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (NHIDCL) website on the “Current Status” of its projects in Nagaland stated that while Package I and II are supposed to be finished by 31.03.2021, the contract for Package III has been “Terminated” and “Re-tendered awarded for the balance work.” Meanwhile, in a reply to a starred question in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2021, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari informed that the progress of the works for Package I and II are “On Schedule” without giving a deadline, while Package III was “re-tendered award for the balance work.” The progress of works for Package I, II& III then were 84.10%, 88.64% and 71.69% respectively. As inferred from observing the physical progress on September 24, the completion of the project, at face value, still remains an uphill task.  

Excavators moving earth, also known as earth-cutting in civil engineering, near Pherima as part of the ongoing four-laning of the existing Dimapur-Kohima road, National Highway 29. Cuts are usually made through hillocks to bypass difficult terrain or to reduce the length. Such cuts were seen along the route in more than four locations. (Morung Photo)