Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari during the virtual inauguration programme on December 4. (Twitter/@nitin_gadkari)
• Lays foundation stones for 14 major NH projects
• Rs 11,711 Cr worth of road works approved in last 6 years
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 4 (MExN): Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs, Nitin Gadkari virtually inaugurated the Dimapur to Chümoukedima stretch of the National Highway (NH)-39 and further laid foundation stones for 14 other National Highway projects in Nagaland on December 4.
These NH projects have a length of about 266 km involving cost of about Rs 4,127 Cr.
A press release from the PIB Kohima reported Gadkari as stating that the Union Government is committed to the development of the North East and Nagaland. He said that 667 kms were added to the NH network in Nagaland during the last 6 years, which depicts a growth of nearly 76%.
The NH network in the State today has been extended to 1,547 km, up from 880.68 km till 2014. The Minister said that almost all districts in Nagaland have been connected to a robust network of National Highways.
Gadkari further informed that 55 works encompassing a total length of 1063.41 kms with a total cost of Rs 11,711 Cr have been approved in last 6 years. This includes about 48 kms of 3 concrete road projects as part of improvement of Dimapur city project at a total cost of about Rs 1,598 Cr.
He said 16 work of 690 Km amounting Rs 7,955 Cr are in progress. Another seven works of 105 km amounting to Rs 966.75 Crore are in tendering stage. He also indicated that 11 works of 178 km length costing Rs. 2,127 Cr are to be approved during 2020-21 with enhanced sanction ceiling. Meanwhile, five works of 524 km costing over Rs 6,000 Cr are in DPR stage.
The Union Minister added that under CRF, total sanction till now from 2002 is Rs 1,334.3 Cr, of which Rs. 487.14 Cr has been released. He announced that a sum of Rs 45 Cr is being released for Nagaland soon.
Gadkari asked the Chief Minister to urgently send the estimates for land and damage compensation in respect to the Kohima Bypass. He also informed that NHIDCL has taken up 2-laning of Kohima-Mao road. Chief Minister, Nephiu Rio meanwhile asked Gadkari to consider development of foothill roads in the State. Gadkari informed that the same is under consideration. The CM also raised the issue of the Dimapur-Kohima road, to which Gadkari informed that 70-80% work has been completed.
MoS-RTH Gen (Dr) VK Singh meanwhile hoped that new NH projects will attract improved tourist traffic to the State. He informed that of the 14 projects, for which foundation was laid today, 11 will be executed by NHIDCL and 3 by the State PWD through the Road Wing of the MoRTH.
2 footbridges
and railings pending
Meanwhile with regard to the 17.3 km Dimapur to Chümoukedima NH stretch, also called the ‘improvement of city portion of Dimapur’ NH 29, two footbridges and side railings are pending completion.
As reported by The Morung Express in November, citing official sources, paving of the carriageway was completed in September with only “cosmetic works” pending.
On December 4, it was informed that 4 out of 6 footbridges have been completed and construction of 2 at the Zion Hospital (Purana Bazaar) and Green Park (5th Mile) junctions underway. An official of the firm said that all pending works are targeted to be completed by the end of December.
The total length of the road from the New Field Checkpost to Chümoukedima runs 17.3km. Two segments of the total length involved improving the existing 2-lane from New Field Check Post to Purana Bazaar (ZHRC junction) running 2.9km. The other 2-lane segment starting from the NAPTC, Chümoukedima junction to Patkai Bridge stretches 1.5km. The 4-lane segment from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima runs a length of 12.9km.
