Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 29
Many years in the pipeline, hopes of reviving the long proposed NH 29 (formerly 39) diversion project, starting from near New Field Check-Post and emerging at New Dhansiri Bridge via Burma Camp, has surfaced. On Thursday, the district administration began clearing the way for the proposed project, demolishing illegal structures that have cropped up in the area demarcated. The construction of the road is proposed to be funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the National Highways Development Projects. When completed, it will measure 1.3 kilometres in length, while easing to great extent traffic congestion in town.
To refresh public memory, the state government had in the year 2000 acquired the land for the said project. (The proposal part pre-dates the land acquisition by many years) A sum of Rs. 3, 19, 65, 397 was also spent on compensating 68 land owners, whose land fell within the project area.
Subsequently, some buildings were also torn down. Only the construction part never took off.
The Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, N. Husheli Sema briefing mediapersons on the day’s exercise informed that 29 thatched dwellings were demolished while unauthorized occupants were evicted. A 15-days notice was given to the illegal occupants to vacate the land in the month of January, the DC added.
A government quarter belonging to the Veterinary department was also among the demolished structures. Some portion of land belonging to the department falls within the diversion project. A flower nursery at Burma Camp and a parking lot for rickshaws near Amar Flour Mill also had to make way. While terming the exercise as a success, the DC said, “(We) have high hope that the authorities in concern will expedite the construction.”
It is estimated that the project will involve the construction of a bridge to overpass the railway tracks and a few ponds. Executive Engineer (National Highways) of Kohima Division, Fineson Pojar, who was at the site, said that the permission of the railways will also be required to do that. Queried on the project cost, Pojar replied that it cannot be estimated at present until a Detailed Project Report is prepared.
The earlier DPR, when the project was first proposed, was never approved. According to the first DPR, it was supposed to be a four-lane project. With another diversion proposed, starting from Khatkhati and emerging at Chumukedima, it was deemed unfeasible to have a four-lane for such a short stretch of road.
The priority now will be to erect security fencing along the periphery of the proposed road, he said. Since the pillars put up to mark the boundary following the acquisition has all been dislodged by unauthorized settlers, he added.
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