• PWD assures timely completion of projects
• Contractor tenders apology over land compensation claim
Noklak, October 30 (MExN): The Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) has called off its agitation and ended the closure of the Executive Engineer's Office, PWD (R&B), Noklak, after the department assured top priority and timely execution of several road projects in the district, a statement issued by the union's media cell said.
The decision followed a joint meeting between the KSU, the Public Works Department (R&B) and the concerned contractor to discuss issues concerning the foreclosure of the Chendang Saddle–Noklak–Pangsha Road (Phase-II) and the Noklak–Thonoknyu Road via Sanglao.
During the meeting, the KSU expressed strong displeasure over the issue of land compensation, which had been cited as a reason for the closure of the projects during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session. The Engineer-in-Chief clarified that projects funded under the NLCPR scheme do not include provisions for land compensation, and the union emphasised that the people of the Khiamniungan community have never claimed or demanded land compensation for these developmental projects.
The contractor, M/s Naagaamii Infra Tech Pvt. Ltd., “tendered an apology to the KSU for citing land compensation issues while seeking an extension of time for the projects,: which was accepted by the KSU representatives present at the meeting.
The meeting also underscored the importance of road connectivity to Thonoknyu, an important administrative headquarters. The department informed the KSU that, under its priorities for SASCI 2026–27, a proposal had been submitted to the state government for the improvement of the road from Peshu to Thonoknyu, and assured that necessary action would be initiated with the state government to address the concerns raised by the union and the people of Noklak District.
The KSU placed several demands before the department, including completion of the 31.00 km Chendang Saddle–Noklak–Pangsha Road (Phase-II), sanctioned at an approved cost of Rs 164.80 crore, within 12 months; upgradation and completion of the Noklak–Thonoknyu Road via Sanglao to the standard of a Major District Road with an intermediate-lane carriageway width of 5.5 metres within 24 months; expeditious construction of the Noklak–Pathso Road; and completion of the 88.00 km Lang River–Taingan (Myanmar) Road, including its extension up to Wui Village via Nokhu and Choklangan, within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with the Revised Detailed Project Report dated November 19, 2024.
The department assured the KSU that the road projects would be accorded top priority and that necessary measures would be taken to ensure their timely execution, the release said.
The KSU reiterated that it has never demanded compensation for developmental activities in Noklak District and emphasised that public organisations and citizens remain united in supporting the uninterrupted implementation of developmental projects across the region.
It said it expects the department to honour its commitments and ensure the projects are executed within the stipulated timelines without further delay, in the larger interest of the people of Noklak District and the region as a whole.
