Workers are seen repairing damaged rockfall protection barriers along NH-29 on October 29, 2025. The NHIDCL informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on June 3 that DPR covering slope protection measures along the highway is expected to be completed by June 30, but final works is likely to be finalised only by early December. (Morung File Photo)
High Court seeks fresh progress reports
Morung Express News
Kohima | June 6
Major slope protection works along vulnerable stretches of National Highway-29 are unlikely to commence before the end of 2026 with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) informing the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on June 3 that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the works is still being finalised.
According to NHIDCL, the DPR covering slope protection measures under Packages I, II and III is expected to be completed by June 30.
The corporation informed the Court that the report would thereafter be forwarded to its headquarters for approval by the first week of July. Following the approval process, tenders are expected to be floated by September and contractors finalised by the first week of December 2026.
The submissions were made during the hearing of the ongoing suo motu PIL concerning NH-29 before the Kohima Bench, where the Court reviewed the status and compliance with directions issued earlier.
Another issue flagged before the Court concerned a hillock handed over to NHIDCL last year for cutting and widening of the riverbed under Package I.
The State Government submitted that no progress had been made despite the handover.
Observing that Package I could not be regarded as complete without widening of the riverbed, the Division Bench Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer directed NHIDCL to explain the delay through a separate affidavit.
NHIDCL further informed the Court that peer review experts visited the project site between May 12 and 14 to scrutinise and assess proposed solutions for slope protection and valley-side stabilisation before finalisation of the DPR. It also submitted that contractors handling Package III have been directed to augment resources to ensure completion of pending works by the end of July 2026.
While slope protection works under the package have been completed and are undergoing certification procedures, RCC Box Tunnel works remain in progress and are expected to continue until June 2027.
The Court also took note of an affidavit filed by a contractor engaged for rockfall mitigation and slope protection works, which stated that 99.81% of the assigned work had already been completed.
During the hearing, concerns were also raised over maintenance of stretches under Packages I and II, which NHIDCL had stated were already complete. NHIDCL submitted that a maintenance contractor had been engaged for Package I, while Package II remained under the defects liability period of the executing contractor.
The Court observed that if maintenance was not being carried out, it was the responsibility of NHIDCL to take action against erring contractors and ensure proper upkeep of the completed stretches.
Meanwhile, on works on Lerie Welcome Gate–Jotsoma Bypass stretch, the Chief Engineer, the PWD (National Highways) attributed the lack of reported progress earlier to changes in the scope of work.
He informed the Court that officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways visited the project site on May 24 and 25 and subsequently directed the department to submit revised proposals.
According to him, works carried out during the period were outside the scope of the original DPR and therefore could not be reflected as physical progress in official reports.
The Chief Engineer further submitted that the poor condition of the bituminous carpeting was linked to rising costs and the absence of the required sanction from the Ministry. However, the sanction has since been granted and steps for corrective action would now be taken.
Listing the matter for further hearing on August 5, the Court directed the Chief Engineer, PWD (National Highways), to file an updated affidavit on progress along the Lerie Welcome Gate–Jotsoma Bypass stretch by August 3.
NHIDCL has also been directed to submit fresh affidavits detailing progress under Package III, the status of hill-cutting and riverbed widening works under Package I, and steps taken to ensure maintenance of completed stretches under Packages I and II.
