Kohima, July 18 (MExN): The Commissioner, Nagaland, has issued a press clarification in response to news articles published on July 17 concerning the land acquisition process for road construction at CH 126, Tsiedukhru (Pagla Pahar) along National Highway 29.
The Commissioner’s office stated that the clarification was issued “to present the accurate chronological sequence of events and the current status of the project,” and maintained that the land acquisition process “has been meticulously followed as per established norms and procedures.”
According to the clarification, a joint survey for land acquisition was conducted on December 13, 2024, and the land acquisition proposal was submitted to the State Government on February 10, 2025.
The Tourism Department issued its No Objection Certificate (NOC) on March 25, 2025, and the State Government forwarded its approved proposal to the Executive Director (P), NHIDCL, RO Kohima, on April 11, 2025.
On May 22, 2025, NHIDCL PMU-Dimapur raised objections to the acquisition of Government (Tourism Department) land and PHED estimates for utility shifting. In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Chümoukedima submitted the required clarification and a revised estimate from PHED.
“In view of the upcoming monsoon, a joint meeting was held on 20.05.2025, and it was decided to issue NOC to NHIDCL for carrying out construction works,” the office stated. Following the meeting, the DC Chümoukedima issued the NOC on the same day permitting NHIDCL to begin construction at CH 126.
Further, the clarification informed that compensation for land acquisition was received on July 2, 2025. This included “100% compensation amount for the Tourism Department (Land cost and forest damages) and 80% of the amount for utility shifting for PHED.” Payments were subsequently made to both PHED and the Tourism Department.
The Executive Engineer of PHED, Urban Division Dimapur, later issued clearance to NHIDCL for commencement of hill cutting at CH 126.
However, as of the date of the press release, “construction works have not yet started at CH 126, Tsiedukhru (Paglapahar),” the office said.
