Nagaland Dy CM TR Zeliang during meeting held with senior officials of MoRTH in New Delhi on August 19 last.
NH-202 Project: Ministry accepts existing DPR despite technical gaps, Cabinet approval next
New Delhi, August 22 (MExN): Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Planning, Transformation, and National Highways, TR Zeliang, held a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), including the Secretary, Director General and Additional Director General in New Delhi on August 19 last.
The deliberations focused on the widening of the single-lane NH-202 to a two-lane road, alongside other major projects such as NH-329A, NH-702A and the Foothill Road, stated a press release issued by the office of the Dy CM.
One of the major impediments to the sanctioning of the project has been the policy issue concerning the applicable legislation for land acquisition, whether the National Highways Act, 1956, should be followed or whether the State should be permitted to proceed under the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965. “Given the State Government’s firm position and reservations regarding the application of the National Highways Act, 1956, in the context of Article 371(A) of the Constitution, the Ministry has now provided an interim reprieve, enabling the State to proceed with land acquisition under the State Act,” it stated.
Another major discussion in the meeting was the finalization of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). “Upon request, they have been magnanimous in agreeing to accept the DPR already under submission, notwithstanding certain technical deficiencies that have been pointed out,” the release stated.
The Ministry has also agreed that the necessary technical modifications may be carried out in consultation with the State-appointed consultant and the concerned engineers of MoRTH.
Zeliang noted that this is a significant development, as appointing a new DPR consultant at this stage would entail several months of additional work involving fresh surveys and preparation of the DPR, thereby further delaying the project. “The present arrangement will help expedite the process towards finalization and sanction,” he added.
Further, Zeliang made an earnest appeal for the swift resolution of remaining technical issues in the DPR, so that the project can be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval at the earliest. He acknowledged the hardships faced by people in Tuensang, Shamator and Kiphire due to the poor condition of NH-202.
He also said that it remains the sincere endeavour of the State Government to provide the region with a sustainable and properly developed NH. “The minor maintenance and improvement works being undertaken at present are only temporary in nature and do not provide the scope or long-term solution required for a sustainable highway.”
Expressing confidence that the State-appointed consultant, in close coordination with engineers and technical officers of MoRTH, will be able to resolve the remaining technical issue, Zeliang said, “This will enable the Ministry to move forward with the necessary formalities and secure the sanction of this vital project at the earliest.”
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