Students display placards at the CSU peaceful democratic agitation at Pfutsero on October 7.
Submits representation to Union Minister, seeks contractor’s termination
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 7
The Chakhesang Student’s Union (CSU) on Wednesday staged a peaceful agitation at Pfutsero in Phek district against the failure of NHIDCL and M/S Ratna Infrastructure Project Pvt Ltd in the construction of National Highway-29 Two Lane (Kohima-Jessami) Road, Package-II.
The union later submitted representation of public grievances to Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, demanding termination of EPC contractor M/s Ratna and immediate retendering of fresh contract.
The CSU demanded the termination of M/S Ratna from the NH-29, 2-lane (Kohima-Jessami) road project and accountability from NHIDCL for its failure to ensure the timely and proper execution of the project.
“For the Chakhesang community and other neighboring districts, this road is not merely a highway, it is a lifeline used daily by students, patients, families, workers and traders. Lives have been lost, students continue to suffer, accidents have become a recurring reality, patients endure immense hardship while travelling for medical care, and businesses along the route are bearing heavy losses,” the CSU stated.
The CSU stated that years of delay and the continuing condition of the road have caused immense hardship and risk to the people. Despite repeated assurances and opportunities, the situation remains deeply concerning, it stated.
Representation of public grievances
In a representation of public grievances addressed to the Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, GoI, the CSU stated that the deplorable condition of the road and the inordinate delay in completion of NH-29 Two-Lane (Kohima–Jessami Road) Package-II, from existing Km 30.474 (near Kigwema Road, Chakhabama) to existing Km 53.220 (near Kikruma Village) (Design Km 29.60 to Km 51.50; design length 21.90 km), has caused immense hardship to the general public.
It stated that many lives were lost, many accidents occurred, and commuters were stranded due to non-maintenance of the road, causing immense economic losses and health hazards to the people.
The CSU stated that the project was awarded to EPC contractor M/s Ratna on October 10, 2023, and was required to be completed by January 4, 2026, as per the contract agreement. Yet the contractor has miserably failed to complete the project within the stipulated time.
On February 27, 2025, the CSU had written to the Union Minister through the Governor of Nagaland seeking immediate intervention and timely completion of the road with proper machinery and quality workmanship. “Yet the road remains in deplorable condition, and the public continues to suffer the consequences,” the CSU stated.
Despite this failure, NHIDCL granted an Extension of Time (EoT) to the contractor till September 24, 2026, notwithstanding the CSU’s demand for termination of the contractor on account of its unsatisfactory performance and failure to meet project obligations.
On June 22, 2026, the CSU, NHIDCL and the contractor signed a Six-Point Agreement to facilitate completion of the project.
The CSU stated that it had, on multiple occasions, tried to understand the ground realities and given the contractor space to work. “But despite the Agreement, the contractor failed to provide adequate machinery, required labourers and necessary maintenance.”
Further, even after the expiry of the EoT on September 24, 2026, the overall work progress remains only at 44%, which directly shows the contractor's incapability to execute a project of such critical importance, it stated.
On August 24, 2026, the CSU served a representation on the Executive Director, NHIDCL, RO-Kohima, urging that no further EoT be granted to M/s Ratna Infra Projects Pvt Ltd beyond the previous extension, and seeking immediate restoration of vulnerable and severely damaged locations and daily maintenance throughout the project stretch to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of the public. Still, no development or progress is seen.
The CSU placed a three-point Charter of Demands - immediate termination of the incapable EPC contractor, M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd and immediate retendering of the fresh contract work within 14 working days; and maintenance of the road until completion of the project.
The CSU urged the Union Minister to take the representation with utmost seriousness and ensure that the long-suffering public is not subjected to any further uncertainty and hardship. “Failure to address the genuine and democratic demand of the people will only compel the CSU to initiate a further course of agitation, for which the Ministry shall be held fully responsible for not addressing the sufferings of the people,” stated the representation, signed by CSU President Povozo Soho and General Secretary Rhilo Chiero.
Earlier, the programme was led by CSU General Secretary Rhilo Chiero while CSU President Povozo Soho delivered precedential address. The programme witnessed solidarity messages from Naga Students’ Federation Vice President Vimeyiekho Vitso, Angami Students' Union Vice President Zhovito Rikha, Pochury Students' Union President Rongley Leyri, Chakhesang Mothers' Association President Zhonelu Tunyi, Phek District Goan Bura Association President Phuzuhu Vero, Phek District Chamber of Commerce & Industries President Razukhruyi Dozo and Pfutsero Town Commercial Vehicle Owner & Driver Association President Posheru Thuluo.
