Vehicle passes through the dilapidated portion of road along NH- 29 Kohima- Jessami in North Kikruma area on September 25. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 25
The Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) on Friday sealed the base camp of M/S Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd at North Kikruma in Phek district over the delay in completion of the National Highway-29 Kohima-Jessami road under Package-II, and demanded its immediate termination, besides fresh retendering within 72 working hours.
The base camp of the company, executing Package-II of the National Highway-29 Kohima-Jessami road, has been sealed since September 25 over “continued negligence, non-compliance and failure to execute the contracted work,” the CSU stated. “M/s Ratna shall not be permitted to continue executing the project thereafter,” it said.
According to the contract agreement, the project was scheduled for completion by January 4, 2026, but the company failed to meet the deadline, the CSU said.
An Extension of Time (EoT) was subsequently granted up to September 24, 2026, but even after the extended period lapsed, the company had completed only 44.30% of the work, against the 50% benchmark, which clearly reflects the failure of M/s Ratna to fulfill its contractual obligations, it stated.
An understanding was reached between the CSU, the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the company on June 22, 2026, to expedite the work, but the firm failed to deploy adequate machinery, labour and manpower despite the agreement, the CSU alleged.
Two joint inspections held on July 13 and August 4 this year showed no significant progress, substantial portion of the road remains in deplorable and unmotorable condition, leaving commuters stranded for hours, it said.
“Several accidents have also occurred due to the poor condition and non-maintenance of the road which has become no longer merely a contractual delay but a serious public concern, causing daily hardship to the commuters,” CSU stated.
Stating that CSU has repeatedly exercised patience and has given the company sufficient opportunity to rectify the situation, it stated “However, assurance after assurance without corresponding action can no longer be accepted.”
Demands termination of M/s Ratna
While appreciating the Government and NHIDCL for implementing an important national highway project within the region, the CSU, however, argued that the inordinate delay of NH-29 Kohima–Jessami Road Package-II from existing Km 30.474 (near Kigwema Road, Chakhabama) to existing Km 53.220 (near Kikruma Village) (Design Km 29.60 to Km 51.50) (Design length-21.90 Km) has caused immense hardships to the general public.
In an ultimatum addressed to the Executive Director (Projects) , NHIDCL, Regional Office- Kohima regarding delay in completion of NH-29 Two-Lane (Kohima–Jessami Road) Project Package-II, the CSU stated that the project was awarded to M/s Ratna on October 10, 2023 and was required to be completed by January 4, 2026, as per the contract agreement, “yet the EPC Contractor, M/s Ratna, has miserably failed to complete the project within the stipulated time.”
“In spite of this failure, NHIDCL has given an Extension of Time (EoT) to the EPC Contractor, M/s Ratna, till 24th September 2026 vide Ref. No. NHIDCL/PMU/Meluri/KJ-II/EOT/2025-26/Vol-IV/6165 dated 20/02/2026, notwithstanding the CSU's demand for the termination of the contractor on account of its unsatisfactory performance and failure to meet project obligations,” the CSU stated in an ultimatum signed by its President Povozo Soho and General Secretary Rhilo Chiero.
The CSU demanded the immediate termination of the EPC Contractor, M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt. Ltd, and retendering of the fresh contract within 72 working hours.
“Failure to comply with the above genuine demand of the public within the stipulated period, the CSU shall initiate total blockage of the National Highway w.e.f. 30th September 2026, for which NHIDCL shall be held fully responsible for its continued inaction and failure to address the grievances of the public,” the ultimatum stated.
Alleges district admin of removing seal
The CSU, in a press statement issued by it media cell, said it was “shocked and appalled” that the District Administration had forcibly removed the sealing of the M/s Ratna office done by it through a “democratic form of agitation,” calling the act “highly condemnable and unacceptable.”
Questioning the District Administration, the CSU asked why the students’ body’s “genuine and democratic agitation” was stopped, and whether the administration endorses and encourages the contractor’s “continuous failure.”
It alleged that the District Administration, which heads the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) for National Highways in the district, has “miserably failed” to monitor timely completion of the project.
Warning that anyone attempting to hijack its agitation would do so “at their own risk,” the CSU said if any extreme course of action becomes necessary in the coming days, the District Administration and authorities who “suppressed our democratic agitation” shall be held solely responsible for any untoward situation arising out of public anger and resentment.
The CSU appealed to all sections of the public to extend full support and cooperation, stating the fight is for the “common cause of the people,” and called upon all its affiliated and subordinate units to be ready for any eventuality. “The CSU will not rest until justice is delivered to the people,” it reiterated.
