Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on October 28 has directed NHIDCL to submit an updated status report on slope protection as well as and the progress of maintenance works on NH-29. (Morung File Photo)
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Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 29
The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB) has directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to complete the process of obtaining the requisite Ministry approvals and tendering for slope protection measures across three packages on NH-29 within two months, citing the limited working season before the onset of the rainy season in April 2027.
In an order dated October 28, a Division Bench of Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer and Justice Helen Daungliani directed NHIDCL to submit an updated status report on the tendering process and the progress of maintenance works under Packages I and II of the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane project on National Highway-29.
The Court observed that the working season had already commenced in September and cautioned that further delays could hamper execution of the slope protection works once the rainy season begins in April 2027.
The directions were issued in a suo motu public interest litigation concerning road conditions in Nagaland, following an affidavit filed by NHIDCL officials on October 6 in response to the Court’s earlier order dated September 9.
Regarding slope protection, NHIDCL informed the Court that the detailed project report (DPR) was undergoing technical review.
The process of land acquisition and obtaining the necessary Ministry approvals would follow the technical review and finalisation of the DPR, it said.
The Court directed NHIDCL to complete the approval and tendering processes for slope protection measures under Packages I, II and III within two months and include an updated status report in its next affidavit.
The Court also sought an updated status of the proposed permanent solution to the rockfall-prone area in the Tsiedukhru range.
Package-wise progress
On Package I and Package II, NHIDCL informed the Court that it had received the work plans and bar charts prepared by the project’s PBMC contractor, outlining the month-wise targets for progress.
For Package II, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor had commenced maintenance work at the site. The tender for short-term maintenance was opened on September 30, with bid evaluation underway.
The contractor was proposed to be deployed at the site after completion of the tendering and award formalities. NHIDCL also placed on record a commitment dated October 3 from the contractor to undertake further maintenance, including kerb cleaning, rectification of damaged kerbs, installation of safety boards and bituminous works.
For Package III, NHIDCL stated that major construction works had been substantially completed, with the remaining work limited to rectifications, testing and other completion formalities.
The Court directed the concerned contractor to file an affidavit detailing the progress of the remaining works and the status of completion.
It also took note of a submission by the court-appointed amicus curiae regarding a major mudslide at Package III. The contractor was directed to ensure that the mudslide was cleared before the next hearing and demonstrate compliance in its affidavit.
Lierie Welcome Gate–Jotsoma Bypass
The Court also sought a detailed account of the physical progress of road improvement works along the Lierie Welcome Gate–Jotsoma Bypass stretch, directing the State Government to place on record an updated status of pothole repairs, road levelling and black-topping.
Specifically, the Bench directed the Chief Secretary, Commissioner and Secretary of PWD (Works and Housing), and Chief Engineer of PWD (National Highway) to file an affidavit, with particular emphasis on the Chief Engineer, detailing the progress of the works. While the State respondents had produced a status report dated September 3, the Court directed that it be formally placed on record through an affidavit, supplemented by details of the progress achieved since then.
The affidavit must account for both pothole repairs and the original black-topping work along the stretch, with the Court underscoring the urgency of the matter as the working season had already commenced in September.
The Court further directed the Chief Engineer and the contractor concerned to address the poor riding quality of the road near the Mandir, flagged by the amicus curiae, and include the progress made in the next affidavit.
