TR Zeliang calls for community cooperation on national highway projects

DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang called for community cooperation on national highway projects during inspections of NH 702A and NH 202K in Phek and Meluri districts on Monday.

On the first of his four-day tour spanning five districts—Tuensang, Kiphire, Shamator, Mokokchung, and Phek—to assess ongoing and planned highway development, Zeliang met with Thuvopisumi villagers, urging them not to obstruct national highway projects but to cooperate with the government and contractors and ensure timely completion of projects.

Zeliang, who is also the minister in charge of National Highways, met with NHIDCL officials at Meluri and urged them to complete the ongoing NH 202 K project within the stipulated time.

Also read: TR Zeliang to inspect highway projects across Nagaland

According to a press release from the deputy chief minister’s office, he also interacted with people at various locations, during which he said that there are about 15 national highway projects in the state, all stalled and incomplete due to “landowner problem.”

“He also urged upon the landowners not to claim land compensation according to their rate but accept the rate fix by the government for smooth implementation of the projects,” read the press release.

While attributing bad roads in Nagaland to “non-availability of funds for timely maintenance,” he expressed confidence that the state would be well-connected from “east to west and north to south” by 2040.

Zeliang’s tour will continue on Tuesday with visits to Kiphire, Shamator, and Longkhim Chare, where he will meet with various tribal bodies and villagers, the press release stated.